DART ‘One Stop Shop’ For Voters
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
As it has done for many years, Dallas Area Rapid Transit is providing free transportation for registered voters to polling locations on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the day of the state’s joint (Democrat and Republican) primary election, on all its services.
“Voters can ride at no charge on all DART buses, trains, the Dallas Streetcar, GoLink, Paratransit Services and the TRE (Trinity Railway Express) between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station,” DART said. “No proof of voter registration is required; GoLink riders can use promo code VOTE22 at checkout for a complimentary Adult Local Day Pass in the GoPass app on March 1.”
While free voting day transportation is not unprecedented for DART (its board approved the practice years ago), the latest measures the agency is taking with the primary election are. They reside in a new website, dart.org/vote, which provides detailed information, including link by county, to find voting locations, among other tools. “DART has 13 service areas within a five-county, 700-square-mile footprint,” External Relations Director Gordon Shattles told Railway Age. “We want to make voting as simple and accessible as possible by becoming a ‘one stop shop’ with all the information a voter will need. Voting is a basic right for all Americans. In our service area, there are many transit-dependent people, many disenfranchised people. In that sense, making the voting process easier for them goes beyond our core function as a transit provider. It’s really a moral obligation.”
Indeed, DART has pulled out all the stops. In addition to providing links to voting location, the website offers basic voting information as well as tips to keep riders safe:
“Voting locations are open at various times during early voting and from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the day of the Texas primary election, March 1,” the DART voting website notes. “If you are in line by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, you will be allowed to vote. Check your county elections website for specific times. Riders who need customized trip planning can map out their ride with the ‘Plan’ tool in the free GoPass app or use the Trip Planner on DART.org. DART Customer Service can also assist at 214-979-1111. If you plan your trip directly in Google Maps, enter the voting location as your destination and choose the Transit option (train icon) to get travel directions using DART.Wear a face mask while riding DART and while at the voting location. If you forget your mask, please take one from the dispensers located on DART trains and buses. Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it before and after your visit to the voting location, and especially after you use the voting machine. DART also provides hand sanitizer dispensers on board its buses and trains. Bring your own sanitized pen to sign any forms. Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can after leaving the voting location. Consider voting early so you can avoid crowds and practice social distancing. Stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.”
Some observers believe DART’s ramped-up initiatives with voter assistance are in response to recent national events connected with voter access. Texas is among several states to impose controversial, Republican-championed voting restrictions with some success.
“Though delayed by Democratic quorum breaks, Texas has officially joined the slate of Republican states that have enacted new voting restrictions following the 2020 election,” The Texas Tribune reported on Sept. 7, 2021. “Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 1, sweeping legislation that further tightens state election laws and constrains local control of elections by limiting counties’ ability to expand voting options. The governor’s signature ends months of legislative clashes and standoffs during which Democrats—propelled by concerns that the legislation raises new barriers for marginalized voters—forced Republicans into two extra legislative sessions. SB 1 is set to take effect three months after the special legislative session, in time for the 2022 primary elections. But it could still be caught up in the federal courts. Abbott’s signature was both preceded and followed by a flurry of legal challenges that generally argue that the law will disproportionately harm voters of color and voters with disabilities.”
Added ABC News: “Although there was no evidence of widespread fraud across Texas following the 2020 election, Republican proponents of the legislation claim it seeks to restore voter confidence in the state’s election parameters … Republican supporters of the legislation—including the state’s Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick—also praised the bill as a tool for deterring ‘cheaters’ from casting fraudulent ballots. “Texas turns out voters because they have confidence that our elections are always going to be fair, and Senate Bill 1 will give them even more confidence. We want to see more people vote, we want to see them vote fairly and we don’t want the cheaters to undermine our elections,’ Patrick said during the bill signing ceremony. The bill’s transcendence into law signals a political win for Abbott, who made ‘election integrity’ a priority over the course of two special legislative sessions. The move also echoes Abbott’s political alignment with former President Donald Trump, who baselessly attacked the nation’s election processes after his presidential loss in November.”
