'Zip' to the Polls This Election Day

Lake View residents pressed for time this Election Day can zip to the polls affordably, as part of a Zipcar effort to get more Chicagoans voting. 

To help residents find their way to the ballot box Nov. 6, Zipcar, Inc. is hosting Zip to the Polls—a daylong, 50 percent rate break on car rentals between the polling hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. The initiative is a nationwide one, company executives said, but local representatives hope it eliminates excuses for voter apathy that sometimes pop up amidst the North Side neighborhoods' plethora of public transportation options.

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"Our Chicago members use Zipcars and public transportation together all the time. They go together like peanut butter and jelly," Charles Stephens, general manager of Zipcar Chicago, said in an e-mailed response. "... While Chicago neighborhoods do have well-developed public transportation systems, we see this program as offering added levels of convenience for those who may want to grab a car to run out to their polling station during work hours, perhaps with a group of their co-workers, or in an off-peak time."

There are more than 40 Zipcars and Zipvans available in the Lake view neighborhood according to an interactive map where members can locate potential rides. Zipcar operates the world’s leading car sharing network and offers “wheels when you want them” to around 730,000 members in 19 major metropolitan areas in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria, according to its website.

The company is working collaboratively with Rock the Vote to encourage strong voter turnout this year, even making voter registration possible via its Facebook page.  

“Nearly 60 percent of our members are Millennials, or part of the 18 to 34 (year old) age group, which aligns nicely with Rock the Vote," Scott Griffith, Zipcar chairman and chief executive officer, said in a news release. 

"We’re proud to support this important cause and help mobilize our members to ‘zip to the polls’ and participate in this year’s election."

Company representatives said they aren't denying peoples' desire to be civically engaged, but are realistic about their busy lives.

"We ... (want) to make it easier and more cost-effective for our members to assist friends and family who may need assistance getting out to vote in this year’s election," Stephens said.

Visit the Zip to the Polls page to learn more and to make a half-price hourly Zipcar reservation on Election Day. All Zipcar rates include gas, 180 miles of travel per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance.

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