Nashville organizations team up to offer free rides to the polls
A group of local organizations believe nothing should prevent people from voting, not even lack of transportation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Many groups and businesses are helping voters get to the polls on Election Day.
Jenean Davis said the importance of voting was always instilled in her.
“Personally, I went to the polls with my parents growing up,” Davis said.
Now as the president of a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she’s hoping to show others how important it is to vote.
“We want to just make sure that everyone who has that opportunity to do that does that and is able to,” Davis said.
Her chapter is partnering with the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, the Nashville Branch of the NAACP, and four area churches to give free rides to the polls.
“Some of our vulnerable populations which are our seniors, our senior citizens, having the access and the ability [to go to the pools] as well as our young people so college students,” Davis said.
Here’s how it’ll work, if you need a ride to the polls, call 615-329-0999. They’ll ask you a few questions and dispatch your ride.
The NAACP branch location on Jefferson Street will serve as the hub for the vans before they are dispatched.
“We will have volunteers on all of the transportation vans that are being used to help individuals get on and off safely, also to ensure that once they get on the bus they also have what they need and that they have their ID because that’s all you need in the state of Tennessee,” Davis said.
They will also have some primary pick-up points including Vine Hill Studio Apartments, Hadley Park Towers, Napier Place, Preston Taylor, Edgehill Manor, Madison Towers, Metro Center Teacher Apartments, Kelly Miller Smith and the Ghertner Studio Apartments.
“We are really targeting areas that tend to be disproportionately disadvantaged because of transportation and otherwise access to getting to those polls,” Davis said.
She also explained they’re doing this because they believe nothing should come in the way of someone exercising their right to vote --not even lack of transportation.
Polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day and close at 7 p.m.
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