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Two local organizations team up to give seniors free rides to the polls

Posted at 12:13 PM, Oct 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-28 17:01:53-04

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - We are now less than a week out from Election Day, and a record number of voters have already cast their ballots.

"During the pandemic, we have served more than 3,000 meals a week to people staying in and safe, and now will offer a new service," said Debbie Schwartz with Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia.

SSSEVA will team up with Coastal Ride to provide seniors a free ride to the polls on November 3.

"Access to the polls for a lot of people with disability or lack of transportation can be difficult. We have been trying to respond to need," she said.

Seniors with disabilities or those 60 years old and up can call to book their ride by Friday, October 30, with two different pickup times. The ride will be round-trip.

"We deal with a population that wants to remain active and engaged and independent, and so we give them the tools to do that," Schwartz said.

Schwartz says, surprisingly with this unrepresented presidential election, that response for a ride has been light – only nine seniors so far. That's a tiny percentage of the more than 1,000 they serve.

"It may because of people doing absentee or mail-in ballots," she said.

Coastal Ride will ensure those that sign up are safe on their way to exercise their right.

"Drivers are masked, there is a plexiglass divider between passengers and drivers, and all seniors will wear masks and the cabs are sanitized," said Schwartz.

To book your ride call 757-963-9218 no later than noon Friday.

Click here for your full guide to the 2020 elections.