Free Rides to the Polls: VTA and North Bay Buses Waive Fares on Election Day

Getting to a vote center or drop box on Tuesday will cost nothing on several Bay Area transit systems.

South Bay: VTA

All VTA bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County is free from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the hours vote centers are open. Regular fares resume at 8:01 p.m., according to VTA.

North Bay: Sonoma County

Santa Rosa CityBus, Petaluma Transit and Sonoma County Transit will offer free rides on their fixed routes on Election Day, KZST reported. Riders don't need to show proof that they voted.

East Bay: AC Transit

AC Transit is not advertising free fares, but it has posted four maps showing which bus lines serve voting sites in its service area. The agency notes that vote centers are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., ballot drop boxes accept ballots until 8 p.m., and voters can register and vote the same day at a vote center.

Plan for rain

Showers are in the forecast for Tuesday, so leave extra time. If you're dropping off a mail ballot, it must be in the box by 8 p.m., or postmarked by Election Day if you mail it.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.