For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Contact: Jessica Sarstedt, 202-802-1835 Pete Vargas, 517-588-9646 ROC Michigan and MichiganVoting.org Launch Statewide Initiative to Transport MI Voters to Vote Starting Tuesday, October 20th, ROC Michigan, MichiganVoting.org, and a coalition of organizations will partner with local transportation companies across Michigan to provide voters free, accessible rides to vote through Election Day MICHIGAN - In an effort to increase voter turnout and provide accessible rides, the Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) Michigan, MichiganVoting.org, and a coalition of partners announced Tuesday the launch of #ROCMIVOTE, a get-out-the-vote campaign to provide voters in 10 Michigan cities -- Detroit, Flint, Ypsilanti, Benton Harbor, Lansing, Southfield, Highland Park, Pontiac, Hamtramck, and Saginaw -- free transportation to their polling locations. Beginning October 20, ROC Michigan, MichiganVoting.org and other nonpartisan partner organizations -- including the ACLU of Michigan, The Detroit Bus Company, All Voting Is Local, REAL Michigan, Warriors On Wheels (WOW) and RISE -- will partner with local transportation companies to help thousands of eligible voters to get to the polls and cast their ballots early and on Election Day. For the last year, ROC Michigan has been working hard to reach over 400,000 Michigan voters, working with local leaders and trusted messengers in Black Indigenous/Latinx People Of Color (BIPOC) communities. “With 14 days remaining until Election Day, we are launching this unprecedented #ROCMIVOTE initiative to assist workers and communities of color, who often face disproportionate barriers to voting, in ensuring they have an equal say in this year’s pivotal election. The outcome of this year’s election will significantly impact the issues that affect these communities most including fair wages and economic equality, future voter suppression tactics and systemic racism. Through the #ROCMIVOTE voter transportation campaign, thousands of Michigan voters will have an opportunity to ensure their voices are heard,” said Pete Vargas, State Organizing Director at ROC Michigan. “The ACLU of Michigan is committed to ensuring more citizens participate in the democratic process and providing transportation is one way we can do that. Access to reliable transportation is a significant challenge for citizens of this state. This program ensures that voters have access to the transportation they need to be counted in this election,” said Sharon Dolente, Voting Rights Strategist, ACLU of Michigan. “We’re working to solve the transportation issue for those who want to vote. This election day we’re going to run routes with an army of volunteers with their own cars to get everyone in the Detroit Metro Area to their local polling place. It’s pretty ambitious, but big problems usually need big answers. We are excited to be serving Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Southfield and Pontiac this year,” said Andy Didorosi, Founder of Detroit Bus Company. Transportation services will be available by request to pick up voters from their homes or designated areas and take them to their local voting precincts, clerk’s office or satellite office where these buses will wait to provide a safe ride back. The #ROCMIVOTE campaign is a part of ROC’s statewide GOTV efforts, including canvassing, leafleting and sending out direct-mail and postcards to ensure “the voices of color and underrepresented communities” in Michigan will be heard. You may also find more information about the campaign at rocmivote.org Eligible voters can use the following information to arrange a ride to the polls: In Benton Harbor, call 269-927-4461 In Detroit, http://voterides.com/ or call/text 313-626-0066 In Flint, call 313-757-1348 In Hamtramck, http://voterides.com/ or call/text 313-626-0066 In Highland Park, http://voterides.com/ or call/text 313-626-0066 In Lansing: www.rebrand.ly/LANSINGVOTES or call 517-881-2935 / 517-285-4769 / 517-712-7056 In Pontiac, http://voterides.com/ or call/text 313-626-0066 In Saginaw, https://saginaw-stars.com/ (Free Bus Fare to Polls/Clerk) In Southfield, http://voterides.com/ or call/text 313-626-0066 In Ypsilanti, call 313-757-1348 For more information on voting rights please visit MichiganVoting.org or call the nonpartisan voter hotline at 866-Our Vote (866-687-8683)