This is a high stakes election and everyone knows it. So, of course, tech giants Google and Uber are teaming up to get everyone possible to vote.
The ride-sharing company is coming together with our favorite search engine and overall tech company wonder to get people across the United States to their polling place. When opened, the Uber app will ask if the user is registered to vote and find their designated polling place (which is where Google comes in). Then, you’ll have the option to order an Uber to that location. In a blog post, the company said this move was apart of their “ongoing campaign to encourage users to vote.” By teaming up with Google, they hope to make country wide trips to the polls as “convenient and stress free as possible.” For first time users, there is even a code for $20 off their first ride—VOTETODAY, if you need it. In a previous post, they noted their efforts were to make sure all eligible “Uber riders and drivers have the opportunity to get involved” in this “historic election,” no matter which side of the aisle you’re on.
While the company is offering the search-for-your-polling-place service to everyone, the rides will only be free in Philadelphia, courtesy of a proactive Clinton super PAC (using the code VOTEPA) and UberEvents. Lyft will also be free in Philadelphia. This is due to the crippling SEPTA strike, which has only come to a solution late Sunday. SEPTA, or Philly’s public transportation system, was previously on strike prior to this week, essentially paralyzing the city and making Ubers and Lyft prices surge. As Philadelphia is a vital city in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where many rely on SEPTA for transportation, UBER and Lyft have come together to give the people of Philadelphia a free or discounted ride so they have a better chance to vote
Other ride sharing companies, like Lyft and Zipcar, also have Election Day deals. Lyft will offer riders a 45 percent discount on one way rides to the polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, NYC and New Jersey, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, San Diego and Washington DC). Zipcars will be free from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to help late voters.
These tech companies want to do their part to make sure everyone has access to their vote. And that’s an incredibly noble cause in a year when voter suppression seems to be on the rise.
Let’s make sure we don’t let Google and Uber down—Get out and VOTE tomorrow! With all the technology helping you get there, there’s no excuse not to.