Kansas City Rideshare Service IRIS Offers Free Rides to Polls on Election Day

Kansas City Rides Service Offers Free Rides to the Polls on Election Day

Kansas City, Missouri, is buzzing with excitement as residents gear up for a big day: Election Day! In an effort to make sure everyone has the chance to cast their vote, a local ride service called IRIS is stepping up to help by offering free rides to the polls. Isn’t that fantastic?

IRIS Steps Up

It’s not just poll workers who are preparing for the hustle and bustle of a busy Election Day; the rideshare drivers are revving their engines too! IRIS is expanding its fleet just in time for the occasion, adding 10 new cars to ensure that no one is left stranded when it comes time to vote.

Now, if you’re not familiar with IRIS, it’s an easy-to-use app that allows you to book rides across Kansas City, and the surrounding areas like Gladstone, Riverside, Liberty, and Raytown. With the “Vote Your Voice” initiative behind this offer, locals can have peace of mind knowing they can get to their polling locations without worrying about transportation costs.

How It Works

If you’re planning to take advantage of this free ride service, you’ll need to download the IRIS app if you don’t already have it. Once you have the app ready to go, simply find your nearest pickup location, enter your polling destination, and you’re set! It’s that simple!

Transportation services will be available starting 30 minutes before polling locations open, and they’ll stay open for 30 minutes after the polls close. So whether you’re an early bird or a last-minute voter, IRIS has got your back!

The Surge in Voter Numbers

55,000 residents have made their voices heard so far, with expectations to hit a whopping 90,000 total by Tuesday night! That’s a significant turnout, showing just how engaged the community is.

Lauri Ealom, the Democratic Director of the Kansas City Election Board, shared her thoughts on the situation. “In 2008 and 2012, we saw something similar, but never exactly like this. This is amazing!” she exclaimed. It’s a refreshing reminder that democracy is alive and well in Kansas City!

Accessible Voting for All

No one likes waiting in long lines, but it looks like long wait times might be unavoidable this Election Day. However, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and IRIS are determined to make voting as accessible as possible. They’ve even added larger vehicles for group rides to accommodate families and friends wanting to hit the polls together. What a great idea!

Local voter Brian Riggins expressed his support for this initiative, stating, “That is highly important because not everyone can have transportation to get to where they need to go, and free transportation makes it a good thing to come out and vote.”

Bikes and Scooters are Up for Grabs Too!

In addition to free rides, if you’re feeling adventurous, IRIS is also offering free usage of their bikes and electric scooters. Just search for the promotional code in the respective app, and you can enjoy the fresh air while making your way to the polls. Talk about a fun way to engage in democracy!

Final Thoughts

Election Day is just around the corner, and Kansas City is pulling out all the stops to make it easier for everyone to cast their votes. “One way or the other, there’s 10 different ways to get here, so make sure you come out and vote,” Ealom encourages everyone. It’s all about participating in our democracy!

So, if you’re in Kansas City and still need to vote, download the IRIS app, grab a friend, and get ready to make your voice heard on Election Day!