Metro will offer free rides across its transit system during the Nov. 4 election in which voters will decide whether to approve a temporary statewide redistricting effort, the agency announced Friday.
The Nov. 4 election will decide the politically charged Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw California’s congressional district maps in an effort to increase Democrat representation. The proposal, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom, was launched to counter redistricting efforts in Texas that added five more Republican-leaning districts.
Metro will not collect fare from 4 a.m. Nov. 4 to 3 a.m. Nov. 5, transit officials said.
Riders can use Metro buses, trains, bike share or its micro ride-share to get to the polls or drop off their ballots at their nearest vote center or ballot drop-box.
“Metro encourages all eligible county residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Metro said in a statement. “By offering free rides on Election Day, Metro is doing its part to encourage voter turnout by making it easier, more affordable and stress-free for people to travel to and from local polling places while saving gas and avoiding traffic and parking.”
The bike share program will offer free 30-minute rides on Election Day. Metro customers can select 1-Ride at any Metro Bike Share kiosk, online or in the Metro Bike Share app. Customers must enter the promo code “110425” at checkout to redeem the ride.
A credit or debit card is required. The promo code may be used multiple times throughout the day.
Electric Metro Bike fees are waived and bike rides are an additional $1.75 for each half-hour after the first 30 minutes.
The ride-share program provides short trips in eight zones across Los Angeles County. Customers must use the coupon code “Vote25” when booking their trip on the app, online, or through the call center at 323-GO-METRO (323-466-3876) and press option 5. The code is only available on Election Day.
The transit agency will also partner again with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office to expand voting access for residents who use or live near Metro stations.
As with previous elections, the RR/CC will place ballot-drop boxes at specific Metro stations, in areas accessible to the public, and that are in clear view of security cameras.
The following stations will have vote-by-mail drop boxes:
— Union Station (east portal);
— El Monte Bus Transit Center (plaza area);
— Harbor Gateway Transit Center (transit plaza area);
— Harbor Freeway C Line (park and ride area);
— Hollywood/Western B Line (plaza area);
— North Hollywood B Line (east plaza area);
— Norwalk C Line (east plaza area);
— Pomona North A Line (west parking lot area);
— Westlake/MacArthur Park B & D Lines (courtyard area); and
— Wilshire/Vermont B & D Lines (courtyard area).
Metro’s headquarters in Union Station will have a voting center on Election Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.