Voters in Los Angeles County who need a way to cast a ballot on Election Day will not have to pay to get there. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, known as Metro, has announced free service across its system for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
WHAT IS FREE, AND WHEN
Metro will waive fares from 4 a.m. Nov. 3 until 3 a.m. Nov. 4. Riders do not need a voting sticker or proof of registration. The offer applies to all riders, whether they are heading to a vote center or a ballot drop box, or traveling for other reasons.
The late cutoff gives voters a cushion if they work long shifts or plan to vote after hours. It also helps anyone who needs to travel early in the morning before heading to work.
HOW METRO MICRO WORKS
For people who live outside easy reach of a bus or train line, Metro Micro is the closest thing to a ride to the polls. The on-demand service picks riders up within set zones and takes them to a nearby destination. Rides can be booked through the Metro Micro app, at ridemicro.metro.net, or by calling 323-466-3876 and selecting option 5. No coupon code is needed, and rides booked on Election Day are automatically free.
The service only runs inside designated zones, so it will not reach every neighborhood. Voters should check the zone map before counting on it.
BALLOT DROP BOXES AT METRO STATIONS
Metro has also placed drop boxes for mail ballots at some of its stations. The agency announced in mid-October that it had set up drop-off ballot boxes. The current list of stations should be confirmed on Metro’s website or with the county registrar before heading out. In a previous election, the agency said station boxes would close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. The same deadline is likely to apply, but voters should confirm it.
WHAT IS NOT GUARANTEED
This is a free fare program, not a shuttle service. Metro is not sending vehicles to pick up voters at their homes, apart from the existing Metro Micro zones. Riders will still need to plan their routes and allow for normal service times.
In past elections, other transportation options appeared as well. In 2020, for example, LADOT Transit offered free rides all day, riders on Access paratransit were not charged for trips to and from polling sites, and Lyft offered discounted rides to polling places and drop boxes. There is no confirmation that these offers will return this year. Voters who rely on those services should contact the providers directly.
TIPS FOR VOTERS
- Check your location first. Many Los Angeles County voters can use any vote center in the county. Confirm the location and hours with the county registrar before you leave.
- Plan extra time. Free fares can mean busier buses and trains, especially in the evening.
- Bring your ballot. If you are dropping off a mail ballot, make sure it is signed and sealed in the correct envelope.
- Check your route. Use Metro’s trip planner or app for current schedules and any service changes.
Transportation is one of the practical barriers to voting, particularly for people without cars, older residents, and workers with tight schedules. Free fares will not solve all of those problems, but they remove one cost.
Residents can find route information, Metro Micro zones, and station details on Metro’s website. Voter information, vote center locations, and ballot status are available through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
