Election Day is here, and getting to your polling place doesn’t have to mean finding a friend with a car or paying full price for a rideshare. Several transportation options are available to help Central Ohio voters get to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, including free rides on COTA and discounts through rideshare apps.
Here’s how to get there.
COTA Rides Are Free on Election Day
The Central Ohio Transit Authority is waiving fares across its entire system on Election Day, so you can hop on a bus or use one of its other transit services without paying a fare.
The offer applies to COTA’s fixed-route buses, COTA Mainstream paratransit service, Mainstream On-Demand and COTA//Plus. Regular bus service is scheduled to run from 5 a.m. until midnight, giving voters time to make their way to the polls and get home afterward.
To plan your trip, first confirm your assigned polling location through the Franklin County Board of Elections. You can then use the Transit app to figure out which route will get you there.
Lyft Is Offering Discounted Rides
As part of its 2026 Voting Access Program, Lyft is offering voters 50% off one eligible ride to the polls, up to $10 off, on Election Day. The program builds on the company’s ongoing efforts to make transportation less of a barrier to voting, which Lyft says have helped nearly 4 million riders reach polling places, ballot drop boxes and voter-related events since 2014.
“Getting to the polls is one of the most meaningful ways we get to shape our shared future, and no one should be shut out of that because they don’t have a reliable way to get to the polls,” said Jerry Golden, chief policy officer at Lyft.
“This program exists because we care about the people behind every ride, and we want every one of them to have the chance to be heard,” said Golden.
To use the discount, enter promo code VOTE26 in the Lyft app. It’s valid Nov. 3 from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time and applies to one eligible rideshare, Lyft-operated bikeshare or scooter ride. The discount is limited to $10 and some restrictions apply.
Before You Head Out
Ohio polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone who is in line by 7:30 p.m. can still vote, so don’t leave just because the clock hits closing time.
Make sure you know your assigned polling location before requesting a ride. You can look it up through the Franklin County Board of Elections or visit VoteOhio.gov.
And remember to bring an acceptable, unexpired photo ID. Ohio’s list includes an Ohio driver’s license or state ID, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, military ID and certain other government-issued IDs.
A little planning can make Election Day transportation much easier. Whether you’re catching the bus or booking a ride, there are options to help you make it to the ballot box.
