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Melrose Residents With a Disability or Aged 60+ Can Get a Free Ride to the Voting Polls

Posted on: October 22, 2023 - 8:00am

During the City’s Early Voting days and on Election Day, the Melrose Council on Aging (COA) is offering free rides to the voting polls to Melrose community members with a disability or aged 60 and older. Those who want a ride to the polls must call the COA at least a day in advance of their desired ride to make a reservation.

The decision to extend the COA’s free rides to include the City’s Early Voting days was made by Mayor Paul Brodeur, who holds a strong belief that it is vitally important that all Melrosians have a chance to vote in the election despite any obstacles such as limited financial resources, lack of transportation, or disabilities.

Melrose Residents who have a disability or are 60 and older can make a reservation to be driven to the polls in the COA’s shuttle during the following dates and times:

Early Voting Ride Hours (Destination: City Hall):

  • Wednesday, October 25, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Friday, October 27, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 31, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Election Day Ride Hours (Destination: the Melrose High School Gymnasium):

  • Tuesday, November 7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Riders will be picked up at their home at a time in their preference window, however, they will not be given a return ride time; for return rides, the shuttle will pick up participants at a designated, marked location every half-hour.

To book a ride, Melrose residents must call the COA at 781-665-4304 at least a day in advance of their desired ride date; for example, rides to the polls on Election Day must be reserved by Monday, November 6, before the COA closes for the day at 4 p.m. Rides will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis, so community members should call early.

The election will determine who will be the next Melrose Mayor, School Committee members, and City Councilors. The election will also ask residents to vote on a debt exclusion question that, if passed by the voters, would allow the City to borrow up to $130 million to renovate and replace the City’s four public safety buildings.

For more information on the COA’s free rides to the polls, call the COA at 781-665-4034. For more information on the local election, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/elections, call the Melrose Elections Office at 781-979-4125, or visit the Elections team at their first-floor location at Melrose City Hall located at 562 Main Street.