Registered voters in Clifton and Passaic who missed their chance to vote by mail or don’t have a way to get to the polls on Election Day or to one of the early Passaic County voting sites, MOVE, a micro-transit service, can help.
The service, which is provided by the county and usually offers low-cost rides to residents, is offering to get voters to the polls on Election Day for free.
This initiative, officials said, is to ensure that all residents within the Passaic County MOVE service zone have access to reliable transportation to cast their votes. “Every resident deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard on Election Day,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett.
May 28, 2025; Passaic, NJ, USA; A press conference at Dundee Island Park for Passaic County MOVE, a ride sharing app that offers residents rides for $1.80 anywhere in Passaic or Clifton during daytime hours.
Free rides will be available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. or trips to and from official polling locations within the service area on Election Day 2025, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Is it politically motivated?
Passaic County, observers noted, will be closely scrutinized in the state, for Latino voters in the county could help determine whether Democrats maintain control of the governor’s office for a third term or if a Republican will lead the state.
Both Clifton and Passaic backed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. There were 16,527 votes cast for Trump and 16,016 for Kamala Harris in Passaic County. In the city of Passaic, 7,903 voted for Trump while 7,019 voted for Harris. Both cities have seen a large number of Latino voters move into their municipalities.
“Voters went, voted for President Trump, and then moved over and voted right down the line for the Democratic candidates,” Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told CNN in a recent interview. “People say that somehow the city went red. The city didn’t go red. The city went with President Trump.”
Lora said he supports the free rides for voters if the service provides the same opportunities to supporters of both parties. If voters from all the districts in Clifton and Passaic are given equal opportunity to get to the polls, it is a good thing, Lora said.
More: Our information guide to North Jersey’s 2025 county, local and school elections
Both cities are led by nonpartisan councils; however, they contain districts that lean one way or another.
Lora told CNN he is backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill. He said she would be better for the city of Passaic. Still, he said he is torn because, personally, many of Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s positions on social issues are more aligned with his.
An evangelical, Lora hosted both candidates for meetings with religious leaders in Passaic this summer.
Booking a ride
Residents can book their free Election Day ride through the Passaic County MOVE app, available for download on mobile devices. Those without access to a smartphone can call 973-791-7563 to schedule a ride. Regular MOVE service, which provides low-cost rides as needed to the residents of the two cities, will continue to operate that day, with standard rides available for $1.80. For more information about Passaic County MOVE, visit the official Passaic County MOVE website.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Voters of two NJ cities eligible for free Election Day rides
