MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- — For the first time in its history, the Milwaukee County Department on Aging is offering seniors 60 and older a free ride to the polls or the DMV if they need a photo ID.
"This is such an important election and when we add the importance of the election to the fact that we're in an unprecedented pandemic, we are always trying to make sure we do everything we can so our older adults are getting important services," said Jon Janowski, Interim Executive Director for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging.
Janowski said so far, the response to the free rides has been positive.
"Early voting started October 20th and we started taking calls even before then," he said.
Two days after offering the service, the agency had given seniors eleven rides.
Janowski says drivers wear masks and they ask riders to as well. The van is sanitized and seniors likely have the entire vehicle to themselves.
"We're not going to be putting three or four people for distancing purposes," he explained.
He says if seniors need a ride they should call the office a couple of days ahead of time.
"There's a lot of fear and anxiety among older folks and rightly so whether you are able-bodied or whether you have a disability, we will serve you and get you to where you need to go," he said.
To set up a free ride to the polls, call 414-289-6874.
Voters can also take advantage of free rides provided by a group called Souls to the Polls. The organization is offering free Lyft and Uber rides to and from voting sites. You need to call ahead and make a reservation. That number is 414-246-1823.
