RTD, Colorado County Clerks Association encourage customers to ride transit at no cost on two Zero Fare to Vote days

DENVER (Oct. 28, 2024) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD), in collaboration with the Colorado County Clerks Association, is offering two Zero Fare to Vote days to encourage voter participation in the upcoming general election. RTD services will be available at no cost on Tuesday, Oct. 29, National Vote Early Day; and Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day.

Zero Fare to Vote provides customers with the option to take transit at no cost to vote in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers or return their mail ballot to any official drop box. RTD’s Board of Directors approved Zero Fare to Vote as a permanent fare change earlier this year which removes the barrier of cost or not having access to a vehicle so that people can get out and vote.

“Providing RTD customers with systemwide zero fare transit to access polling places was well received when introduced in 2022,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson noted. “This year and in subsequent general election years, registered voters can rely on RTD to deliver them to any polling place throughout the district to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”

“Colorado does everything we can to make it easy for eligible Coloradans to vote,” added Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “I’m proud that RTD is offering zero fare days to encourage people to cast their ballots. This program is another way that Colorado is reducing barriers to the ballot box.”

One no cost transit day is National Vote Early Day on Oct. 29 – a nonpartisan day of celebration encouraging voters to cast a ballot. Voters in the Denver metro area can use RTD services to vote in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers or drop off their mail ballot in any official drop box. Colorado voters can return their mail ballots to any county clerk drop box or vote center regardless of what county they live in.

“I’m grateful that RTD is supporting voter participation in such a concrete and meaningful way,” Boulder County Clerk and Colorado County Clerks Association Board President Molly Fitzpatrick said. “Providing zero fare days not only supports those who face transportation and financial burdens, but it also increases public awareness about opportunities to vote early to ensure last minute emergencies won’t stand in anyone’s way of casting a ballot.”

Colorado voters can find their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and use RTD’s trip plannerand click the “Vote” icon to find the best route to a designated drop box or polling location. Customers can further filter the trip planner results by selecting “Drop Box”, “Early Voting” and “Open Now.”To find the desired voting or drop box location, customers can then click the “Plan Trip” button.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, transit customers can use RTD services at no cost to reach their polling location to vote in person or drop their ballots in a drop box. Colorado has no registration deadline to vote.

“Ballots are being mailed and now is the time to make your voice heard,” Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul Lopez said. “Take advantage of the fact that, here in Colorado, we don’t have to take time off work and stand in long lines to cast our ballots. Election Day is right around the corner. Return your ballots – don’t wait until the last minute. Let’s vote, Denver!”

Important information for Colorado voters:

• Coloradans can register to vote or update their voter registration at GoVoteColorado.gov through today in order to receive a ballot in the mail (which is also the last recommended day to return a ballot by mail). After today, Coloradans can register to vote, including online, but they must visit a Vote Center in person to request a ballot or vote in person.
• All Colorado voters can sign up to track their ballot form sent to be counted using BallotTrax
• In-person voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Eligible voters must have returned their ballot to a drop box or voting center, or be in line to vote by 7 p.m., for their ballot to be counted.

Colorado voters can visit GoVoteColorado.gov for more information:

• Register to vote or update their voter registration
• Find their local County Clerk
• Find their closest drop box or voting center
• Sign up to track their ballot using BallotTrax
• Find accurate election information