AME Ministers Alliance offering free rides to polls

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The AME Ministers Alliance is launching its “Tote to Vote” initiative, which will involve free rides to early voting sites for people who live in certain neighborhoods in Jacksonville.

This effort is in response to the decision made by the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office to discontinue the early voting location at Edward Waters College.

“As a result of that decision, many residents in the community have been negatively impacted,” Tan Moss, with the AME Ministers Alliance, said on Thursday.

“Although we are seeing record voting turnouts throughout our city, state and nation, there are still pockets and communities where limited access to voting locations is problematic.”

Last week, Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan said Edward Waters College and the University of North Florida had the lowest voter turnout across the state. By law, they’re required to provide equal access.

Hogan said there is one site for every 16,000 voters on the Northside of Jacksonville. There’s one site for every 40,000 voters on the Southside. Action News Jax reporter Meghan Moriarty asked the Alliance their thoughts on Hogan’s reasoning to discontinue these ballot boxes.

“He has that right to make those decisions,” Mark Griffin said. “We would hope that in the future, in addition to looking at the raw numbers that some other factors would be taken into consideration, such as the availability of transportation.”

The AME Ministers Alliance will start offering free rides in select communities starting Friday until the end of the early voting period. Griffin said this will be available to those who live near Edward Waters College and in the following ZIP codes: 32208, 32209, 32254, 32205, 32206 and 32218. To request a ride, call 904-739-7500.

Cox Media Group