Free ride days at Colorado RTD on National Vote Early Day, Election Day

RTD services on Friday, Oct. 28, and Tuesday, Nov. 8 will be available at no cost to all users as the RTD and the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office recognize National Vote Early Day and General Election Day.

The partnership encourages voter participation and turnout within RTD’s eight-county region and removed a cost barrier for people to take public transportation to cast their ballots, RTD officials said in a news release.

“While data shows that mail ballot voting has significantly increased voter turnout in Colorado, providing systemwide zero fare transit access on general election days further reduces barriers to polling places,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson . “With this initiative, the playing field is being leveled so that registered voters can exercise their constitutional right.”

Oct. 28 is National Vote Early Day, a day to raise awareness about the tools available to many Americans to vote early, and Nov. 8 is Election Day.

Colorado voters can find their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and can use RTD’s trip planner to find the best route to get there.

This year, a record 411 drop boxes and over 350 voting centers will be available for Colorado voters by Oct. 24.

“I am pleased that this year, RTD will have two fare free days to provide voters another accessible way to return their ballot,” Secretary of State Jena Griswold said. “I thank RTD, Colorado’s largest transit agency, for their partnership in making it even more accessible to vote in Colorado.”

Coloradans can register to vote or update their voter registration at GoVoteColorado.gov through Oct. 31 in order to receive a ballot in the mail.

After Oct. 31 Coloradans can register to vote, receive a ballot and vote in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) until 7 p.m. on Election Day.

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