Easy Lift ready for mobility assistance on Election Day

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Easy Lift is ready to roll if voters are unable to get their ballot to a polling place.

The transportation service is offering free transportation for voters who need to get to a polling place to vote or to drop off their ballots.

This service is provided during elections to ensure equal access to individuals with disabilities and especially seniors, in a safe, sanitized vehicle.

"Not only do we reach out to all of our passengers we reach out to all of  our partnering organizations so their can let their individuals know that even though they don't use Easy Lift regularly, in this case they can have  a free ride to their  polling booth, " said Executive Director Ernesto Paredes

 After the 2016 election and the response to the free rides,  the plan was already worked out for this election..      Much of it was based on the customer feedback, which Paredes said was rewarding to hear. "(They said) 'without your transportation we would not be able to vote or we weren't sure and we  had a lot of questions about our ballot and we were able to get that answered at the ballot places.'" he said. "So it worked out beautifully we said   we have to keep keep doing this  and it's been great." 

Paredes said the riders value the service, and their drivers, especially during COVID conditions. "It's been tough on them so for them to see their friends which is  the drivers, it's been very special."

   Easy Lift encourages the public to make a reservation at 805-681-1181. 

The service extends from Winchester Canyon to Carpinteria.

The county of Santa Barbara is also providing voter assistance through the Registrar of Voters at : Santa Barbara County Elections.