In a beneficial move for local democracy, VIA Metropolitan Transit is setting a course to facilitate voter turnout by offering free rides to the polls this Saturday, May 4. As per a news release from the transit authority, a nifty flash of a voter registration card is sufficient for voters to bounce to their assigned polling locations without charge. “The goal is to encourage civic engagement and participation among VIA customers and to provide transportation for voters who may not otherwise be able to get to and from their polling location,” VIA announced, aiming to eliminate transportation barriers that could dampen voter participation.
Rolling out the Ride VIA to Vote program in March 2016, the initiative has already helped a multitude of residents practice their civic duty. VIA intends to extend beyond just the traditional bus service; VIA Link and VIAtrans paratransit services are also included in the initiative, ensuring wide-reaching support. Fallen on the day of reckoning, registered VIAtrans customers are reminded to conveniently schedule their trip by phone or online ahead of time, as advised by VIA officials.
With the spotlight on the North East ISD races, Bexar County's corridors of power are ripe with contention. According to Community Impact San Antonio, five of the seven school board seats are up for grabs, with 12 candidates clamoring for those spots. Voter engagement has already been robust with over 15,000 folk taking part in early voting. Notable for its high early voter turnout, Brookhollow Library saw 1,952 voters, underscoring the area's zest for civic engagement.
Seats for other governing bodies like the Alamo Colleges District and the Bexar Appraisal District also hang in the balance, alongside important decisions such as reauthorizing a sales tax segment in Shavano Park for crime prevention. Tackling logistical hurdles head-on, VIA is dedicated to ensuring the day goes down smooth with rides starting from 7 a.m. and wheels still turning until the polls close at 7 p.m. The full list of polling locations can be obtained by voters on the KSAT's Vote 2024 page.
