From 2020 to 2022, the number of registered voters in America dropped by over 7 million people. That’s partially because every year, millions of Americans move, change their name, turn 18, or become citizens — life events that require registering or re-registering to vote – without even realizing it.
Beyond the basics of civics, voting impacts everyone from the members of our community to the communities we serve. At Lyft, we believe every eligible American should exercise their fundamental rights and that transportation should never be a barrier to access. We aim to be a force of good in our community and want to empower everyone who’s eligible to register to vote. We are doing that by sending important reminders about voter registration right in the Lyft app.
We’re not standing alone in the business community. This year, more than 150 other NVRD partners organizations – from social media companies to nonprofit organizations to large corporations – have committed to amplifying National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) in our communities. The origin of NVRD dates back to 2012, when democracy-focused organizations and election officials first advocated for a new national holiday dedicated to voter registration. Out of this effort, NVRD was born, and now unites volunteers, community partners, and businesses across the nation to make voter registration opportunities more visible. Through targeted campaigns and grassroots outreach, these efforts have registered more than 5 million voters as of the last election cycle.
This success is due in large part to the support of partner organizations like Lyft. Drivers on the Lyft platform gave over 393 million rides in the first half of the year alone. The scale of this reach comes with a responsibility to our users and our democracy, and it is a responsibility we take seriously.
Over the years, Lyft has helped more than 3 million riders find a rideshare driver to go to a polling location, drop off their ballot in a dropbox, or go to a voter registration drive or related event. Lyft, as part of its NVRD partnership, will add a voter registration link in the in-ride feed for riders and promote National Voter Registration Day to their thousands of employees. The 2024 Lyft Up Voting Access Program will help provide access to the polls by sharing critical voting access information and providing free and discounted rides to the polls.
Elections ensure that our shared values are prioritized, and that the public’s voice is heard on important issues at the local, state, and national levels. As we approach National Voter Registration Day on September 17, we encourage every eligible American to verify their voter registration status and familiarize themselves with the issues on the November ballot so that they are fully prepared to cast their vote on election day. Voting is a powerful tool for change, so join in, register, and make sure you’re ready to make an impact this November.
Author: Jordan Markwith, Head of External Affairs at Lyft
