Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
You Can Ride LA Metro For Free On Election Day
(Todd Johnson/KPCC file photo)
()
The midterms are less than two weeks away, and if you need a ride to the polls on Election Day, Los Angeles Metro has you covered.
The agency's board of directors approved a motion Thursday to offer free rides on all its buses and trains on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in an effort to encourage voter turnout.
All @MetroLosAngeles rides will be free on #ElectionDay! The Metro Board just unanimously approved my motion to make voting easier.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) October 25, 2018
Every vote counts in this democracy, and we have to do everything we can to help Americans exercise our most fundamental right. pic.twitter.com/7VzuzvHx0k
The county can use all the help it can get. In the 2014 midterms, turnout was a dismal 17 percent.
Support for LAist comes from
"In the June 2018 primary election, Los Angeles County saw a voter turnout of just 28 (percent), which is the second lowest of the 47 California counties that reported," the motion reads. "Additionally, studies have shown that minority, low-income, persons with disabilities, and youth voters in particular have consistently lower turnout than average."
The motion was introduced earlier this month by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, county supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who all sit on Metro's board.
STUDY FOR THE MIDTERMS: Explore our Voter Game Plan before you head to the polls
The motion cited several other cities that provide free public transit on Election Day, including Houston, Dallas, Kansas City and Tampa.
"The number of transit operators taking this approach continues to grow, and MTA should ensure that it does not fall behind," officials wrote in the motion.
Support for LAist comes from
Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist