On November 3, 2026, Americans will head to the polls for the midterm elections, but for millions of people, getting there is the hardest part. Voters without cars turn out at rates as much as 30 percentage points lower than car owners. With 70 percent of people voting in person in the 2024 presidential election, a reliable ride to the polls matters more than ever.

In the 2022 midterms, less than half of eligible voters cast a ballot. And, according to the US Census Bureau, 2.1 percent of people who didn’t vote, roughly 1.2 million people, said transportation problems were the main thing that kept them from the polls.

Most people still prefer to vote in person, which means getting to the polls can make or break turnout. Research suggests that in the 2018 general election, voters with access to a car voted at higher rates than those without one. That gap hits older voters, people with disabilities, students, and lower-income communities the most. On top of that, as many as 100,000 polling places have closed in recent years, making the trip even longer for many voters.

Lots of seniors, non-drivers, rural residents, part-time workers, and people with disabilities rely on mail-in ballots. But recent changes to U.S. Postal Service rules have made voting by mail harder, which makes a reliable ride on Election Day even more important.

Since 2014, we’ve been offering free and discounted rides to the polls. Almost 4 million riders have used Lyft to get to a polling place, drop off their ballot, or go to a voter registration drive or related event. In fact, during the last midterms, Lyft rides to polling places were nearly 50% higher, as more voters counted on us to help them get there.

On average, Americans living in rural areas travel furthest to cast their vote, with an average of 5.4 miles. Close behind them are suburbanites, who traveled an average of 4.5 miles to vote. City dwellers have the shortest way to go with just 2.8 miles to their polling place. 

Of course, urban planning and road design plays a part too. For some people, a closer polling place doesn’t equal convenience. However, suburbanites and rural voters take a Lyft rideshare to vote at much higher rates than city dwellers, who live the closest to the polls. 

Traveling long distances to polling places is common in suburban neighborhoods. 

In some suburban counties, voters have to travel over 10 miles to cast their ballot. These are places where living and working developments are spread out over large areas, and people have little access to public transportation. 

If you need a ride to the polls, the good news is that you don’t have to own a car.  

To make sure transportation is more accessible on Election Day, we’re offering a special discount to the polls through our 2026 Voting Access Program.* 

The VOTE26 code isn’t limited to Lyft rideshares. If you prefer to bike, or ride a scooter to the polls, you can use it on Lyft operated bike and scooter systems between 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. local time for the same discount. 

If you don’t have a reliable way to get to the polls, you’re not alone. Lots of community groups and nonprofits are working hard to make sure everyone who wants to vote can. At Lyft, we’re proud to partner with these organizations to offer discounted rides:

This is just a starting point. Plenty of local community groups help people get to the polls too, so it’s worth searching for resources in your area. And of course, you can always ask a friend or family member for a ride, or take public transit if it’s available near you.

For millions of Americans, getting to the ballot box can be a real journey. To make it easier to vote this November, consider making a voting plan. 

Getting to the polls doesn’t have to be a hassle. Knowing where your polling place is and planning how you’ll get there can make Election Day a whole lot easier. 

Yes, you can use Lyft everywhere our drivers operate. Simply open your Lyft app and request a ride. To use the VOTE26 discount code on Election Day, you can preload it onto the Lyft app any time between now and Election Day. 

Yes, Lyft offers discounted rides with our VOTE26 discount for 50 percent (up to $10) off your ride to the polls. Additionally, many communities and nonprofits provide free or discounted rides to the polls. We recommend checking with your neighborhood voting associations to find out which option works best for you. 

Every state should have a registry of polling places, but you can visit the Secretary of State website for a list of polling places in every state. 

If you’re living with a disability you vote by mail or contact community organizations in your state to find out which ones are offering rides to the polls. 

Legal disclaimer: 

*Promo code is valid on November 3, 2026, 5am-10pm (local time) for 50 percent off, up to a maximum of $10 on either: one (1) Lyft car ride (excluding Black and Black SUV modes), one (1) Lyft scooter ride, or one (1) Lyft-operated bikeshare ride (in select scooter and bikeshare markets) (each, a “Ride”) to a polling location anywhere in the U.S. where the Lyft transportation network operates, including to registered dropbox locations if you are in an exclusively vote-by-mail state or in a state that permits the return of ballots to dropbox locations. Credit or discount does not apply to any tip. Limited quantity available. Limit one (1) promo code and one (1) Ride per user. Lyft promo codes and discounts are offered in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and cannot be combined with other ride credit or offers. Offer of promo code is not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on the act of voting, or voting for or against any particular person or measure. Subject to Lyft's Terms of Service.