Skip to main content
Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source

Informing you and your community in 2025

Bridge Michigan’s year-end fundraising campaign is happening now! As we barrel toward 2025, we are crafting our strategy to watchdog Michigan’s newly elected officials, launch regional newsletters to better serve West and North Michigan, explore Michigan’s great outdoors with our new Outdoor Life reporter, innovate our news delivery and engagement opportunities, and much more!

Will you help us prepare for the new year? Your tax-deductible support makes our work possible!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate

Michigan may soon repeal ban on paid rides to election polls

people voting
Michigan is believed to be the only state in the country with a ban on arranging paid transportation options for voters. (Bridge file photo)
  • Michigan Democrats back repeal of ban on hiring transportation for other voters on Election Day
  • Advocates argue the law is a barrier to voting access, while supporters claim it prevents voter intimidation
  • The bill will soon go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is expected to sign the repeal

After years of legal disputes, a longstanding ban on offering paid rides to the polls for voters may soon end in Michigan.

Voting along party lines, the Michigan Senate on Tuesday passed a House bill repealing a ban on hiring drivers to escort voters to polling places unless they are physically unable to walk. The bill will soon head to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who likely will back the repeal.

Sponsor

The existing ban is an 1895 law believed to be the only one of its kind left in the country. Ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft have cited the law for not offering discounted rides to polls, as the companies do in other states. 

Related:

Groups or individuals could face a misdemeanor for hiring a “carriage or other conveyance” to bring able-bodied voters to Michigan polling places under the current ban, meaning they can’t pay for cars or buses to take voters to their precincts.

The law does not prohibit churches, businesses or voter advocacy groups from offering rides for free if drivers are volunteers, but voting activists say the law remains a barrier to helping those with mobility issues get to the polls.

In 2020, a judge moved to suspend enforcement of the ban in response to a federal lawsuit, but an appeals court later reinstated the ban, siding with Republicans.

Legislative Republicans unsuccessfully pushed for the legislation to include restrictions on displaying political materials in rides and language drivers could tell riders.

“The potential of abuse for this situation continues to exist,” Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said in a Senate floor speech. 

“We're setting something up that could literally have the candidate themselves on the bus, having paid for the bus, and saying, ‘When you get on my bus, I'm gonna give you a campaign speech the whole way there.’”

Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, countered that voters who take free riders can still make their own choices inside voting booths.

“Nobody is compelled to take a ride to the poll, it is their own volition to do so,” he said. “All of us going into a poll are doing it because it's our duty and our right, but it is a choice to take a ride to the poll, and I think conflating the two together doesn't make much sense.” 

How impactful was this article for you?

Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues

See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:

  • “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
  • “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
  • “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.

If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate Now