Local voters took advantage of free rides on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the East Lansing City Council election.
The MSU College Democrats and the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, both offered free services to help people get to the polls. "We had a pretty unique challenge to get people to vote — get them in a car and drive them across the city to vote," said Kate Lester, president of the MSU Stonewall Democrats. "Our goal is to get everybody."
The group had three cars to drive voters from Abbot Hall to Precinct 12, which is located at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbott Road. Lester said the polling location is 13 blocks from the dorms.
"You live here nine months out of the year," she said of the importance of getting people to vote. "This is your home."
Lester said the group had transported approximately 40 voters by 3 p.m.
"I've been driving pretty much all day," she said. "We really don't mind. We're expecting it to pick up because a lot of people have class."
Zoology sophomore Tyler Pearsall and film studies sophomore Dan Tingstad, who are both registered to vote in East Lansing, rode in a silver Saturn Ion with Lester to vote in the election.
"It's more convenient than having to walk there, that's for sure," Tingstad said.
He said he registered to vote in East Lansing during the 2004 presidential election so he didn't have to go home to vote, which would be inconvenient for him.
"We're good voters," Tingstad said after casting his ballot.
Helen Tober, chairwoman of Precinct 12, said the polling location might be a little further from campus but offers room for more voters.
"We haven't had a steady stream of voters," Tober said. "I know it's a little inconvenient for the students, but this is a bigger room."
Pearsall and Tingstad live in Mason Hall and said the four candidates running for City Council came around to the dorms to introduce themselves, their platforms and ask for their votes.
"I feel accomplished," Pearsall said about voting. He also registered in East Lansing during last year's presidential election to save himself a trip back home.
CATA also provided voters with an opportunity to get to the polls. Riders received a free ride as long as they showed their voter identification card.
"We just don't want anyone to not be able to get there," said CATA's executive director Sandy Draggoo. "If they are a registered voter they can jump on the bus and get to the poll."
Draggoo said CATA has offered free rides on Election Day for nearly 25 years.
"As a public service, we can be sure everyone can get to the polls," Draggoo said. "We think it's important that everyone has the ability to take advantage of their right."
