Albany Housing Authority to offer rides to Election Day polls

(ALBANY, GA) – There’s no question that Tuesday will see a high voter turnout for Election Day 2020, and for one group across Georgia, they’re making sure that cities, including Albany can get people to the polls.

“When we’re speaking about Albany, and a lot of rural areas, people don’t have transportation. So we wanted to meet people where they were. Whether you’re at a bus stop, whether you’re at home, whether you’re a healthcare worker, and you’re tired form a 13,14 hour shift, we want to make sure we meet people where they were to provide those rides,” says New Georgia Project Deputy Field Director, Roderick Smith.

The New Georgia Project is working with the Albany Housing Authority locally to get elderly or underserved tenants out to the poll through ride-sharing, with the housing authority reaching out to those close to tenants.

Albany Housing Authority Public Relations Specialist, Dena Jackson tells us, “What we’ve done with the family members is we’ve partnered with them to make sure that everybody can exercise their right to vote. So not having a ride, we didn’t want that to be a hindrance for people to go the poll. So what we’ve tried to do is simply expand that.”

While many are still concerned about any possible spread of COVID-19, rides to the polls will have anyone needing a lift to the polls covered for PPE.

“What the New Georgia Project is providing is PPE equipment. They’re also offering everything sanitized, all cars sanitized, one person per car, and so we are ready for it.”

To call for a ride, you can contact the Housing Authority at (229) 434-4500 or the New Georgia Project at 1-800-874-1541.