Uber to launch in-app voter registration, discounted rides to polls ahead of Election Day

Eligible voters will be able to register to vote and request mail-in ballots through the Uber app, as well as receive information on and discounted rides to and from polling places, the company announced Tuesday. 

Uber is partnering with TurboVote to help “riders, eaters, drivers and delivery people” register to vote or request a mail-in ballot through the Uber and Uber Eats apps, according to the announcement. 

The new feature is part of Uber’s push to make sure every eligible citizen has access to voting, said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

“We hope that by giving people the ability to easily register to vote and request an absentee ballot via the Uber and Uber Eats apps, independent workers—and everyone who uses our platform—will have a stronger voice in our democracy,” Khosrowshahi said in a statement. 

“I know that Uber is uniquely positioned to help move people to the polls, so over the course of the next two months, we’ll work to ensure every American citizen, regardless of the barriers they face, can cast their vote,” the CEO added. 

The company said it will also offer discounted rides to and from the polls for users to limit transportation as a barrier for voting. 

Uber also announced it is a founding member of the “Power the Polls” initiative, which is encouraging people to volunteer as poll workers due to a shortage amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Uber is partnering with different businesses and several organizations including Civic Alliance, National Voter Registration Day, Vote Early Day and Time to Vote as part of the initiative to encourage people to sign up.

The goal of Power the Polls is to get 250,000 Americans to sign up as poll workers, with a focus on “healthy, low-risk candidates.”