Do you get a thrill of wearing your "I Voted" sticker on Election Day? If so, transit officials hope to make it simpler for you to vote Tuesday in the Kansas City metro.
Some 134,000 people voted early in Johnson County, Kansas,already (Missouri doesn't have early voting.)
But for anyone who couldn't vote early, buses from the major four systems in the region will be free all day Tuesday.
Kansas City, Missouri, Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas and Independence, Missouri, all are waiving bus fares in an effort to allow more people to get to the polls.
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority spokesperson Cindy Baker says the transit officials know they’ll be giving away rides to some who are not going to vote, but that’s OK.
"We think it’s an important enough privilege," Baker says, "that this would be a great time to make it as accessible to as many people as possible."
Paratransit services also will be free for those who need them. Baker says more than 50,000 people ride transit every day across some 100 routes.
If you’re not sure where your polling place is or need help routing your trip, there are resources and links on the KCATA website.
Laura Ziegler is a community engagement reporter and producer. Reach her on Twitter @laurazig or at lauraz@kcur.org
