STAR Transit offers free rides to Rockwall County voters this election season

Free transportation is now part of Rockwall County’s election-season playbook: STAR Transit is offering no-cost rides to voters, a practical fix for residents who do not have a car, cannot spare the time to drive, or live too far from a polling place. The county posted the announcement on April 20 and told riders to either say they are headed to vote or enter Vote526 in the STARNow app. STAR Transit says the offer applies to registered voters in its service area, which includes Rockwall County.

The ride can be booked in the most direct way possible. Voters can tell the bus operator or reservationist they are going to vote, call STAR Transit at least 30 minutes before the trip at 877-631-5278, or use the STARNow app. STAR Transit says all of its services qualify for the offer, including Demand Response, Fixed Routes and STARNow, and the ride must be to and from a polling place within the service area or STARNow zone. That makes the program useful for seniors, shift workers and anyone trying to fit voting into a crowded day.

The most important voting deadlines are coming fast. Rockwall County says April 27 is the last day to register to vote or update a registration for the May 26 primary runoff election. May 15 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail, early voting runs May 18 through May 22, and Election Day is May 26. County elections officials are based at 1101 E. Yellowjacket Ln., Suite 150 in Rockwall and can be reached at 972-204-6200, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Rockwall County voters, the message is simple: the transportation barrier does not have to decide whether a ballot gets cast. A free ride is available, the booking step is straightforward, and the clock is already ticking toward the runoff.