Pace University students who wanted to vote locally on Election Day could get free rides. Pace’s Center for Community Action and Research sponsored a Voter Van, which left every half hour from the Goldstein Fitness Center to take students to their polling place at Briarcliff High School. CCAR  has been providing transportation for students to the polls on election day since 2000.

Around 200 to 600 students are registered to vote at their on-campus addresses. Fifty-one students used the Voter Van on Election Day. “I have been registered since I turned 18. I registered on campus because I knew that I was going to be living here a majority of my time,” said first time voter and Pace University student Lindita Kulla.

“I think the Voter Van is something that is really important when we talk about mobilizing youth voters. I mean that in a literal sense. There is a lot of anxiety that goes along with voting, especially for first time voters. So having the van and going with a group of people felt less scary. I think as a resident of Pleasantville, I should have a say in who is representing me. It is imperative that we as young voters are involved in the communities around us,” Kulla added.

“Transportation to the polls is a major hurdle that all young people, and particularly young college students, face,” said Tyler Kalahar the Program Coordinator at CCAR. “Doubly so at Pace Pleasantville. First year students aren’t allowed to have cars on campus. Voter Van is essential for Pace students because it addresses transportation to and from the polls. Transportation issues are a major concern that political scientists note depresses young people from voting.”

Kalahar emailed students who were registered with their on campus address to encourage them to use the Voter Van. Students also had a second option to take discounted rides on Uber to their polling place using the code EARLYVOTE2018.