JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, volunteers from an organization known as Free Rides to the Polls get together on a daily basis to assist voters. “We’re just trying to encourage people to get out and vote,” Pastor Lee Harris, who is the leader of the program, said.
“We’re just trying to encourage people to get out and vote.” “Because of their vote, their voice, and the fact that we want to provide the services not just to the people in the immediate area of this church, but to people all across Jacksonville.”
The way it works is that individuals ring in and ask for a ride, and then volunteers from churches all throughout the city pick them up and transport them to spots where they may cast their vote.
Pastor Harris stated that from the beginning of early voting, the organization has provided transportation to about 400 different individuals. In addition, he anticipates that the demand will rise the closer we get to the day of the election.
Pastor Harris said that it was becoming worse. “It always ramps up to a higher level.” In addition to that, he stated that there is a potential that they may increase the number of drivers and vans in order to meet the demand. At the moment, they have nine drivers and nine vehicles at their disposal.
This cost-free alternative is available to anybody, regardless of their political leanings. Pastor Harris stated that they do not advise people on who they should vote for, but they do hand out pamphlets to passengers that contain information on the candidates that are running for office.
Volunteering is something that Jan Timmons does, and she noted that the program ensures that people’s opinions are heard. Since she started working with Free Rides to the Polls in 2014, she has witnessed the organization’s expansion. Timmons remarked that “getting clients out to the polls to vote makes it possible for our community to flourish.”
