Laketran’s “Vote and Ride” program is rolling once again. Lake County residents can take the transit agency’s Local Routes 1-9 or a door-to-door Dial-a-Ride trip fare-free to polling locations on Nov. 5 for the general election. Free rides are also now available to vote early at the Lake County Elections Board, at 105 Main Street in Painesville, until Nov. 3. Polling locations in Lake County are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. There is no in-person voting at the board on Election Day. Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said transportation should never hinder anyone from exercising their right to vote. “We are committed to ensuring that our residents have the necessary access to participate in the election,” he added. To get a free ride to vote taking Routes 1-9, riders need to inform their bus driver that they are going to vote when they board the bus, agency officials confirmed. Customers who use Dial-a-Ride can inform customer service representatives they are going to vote when scheduling a trip. Reservations are required 1 to 12 business days in advance by calling 440-354-6100. For early voting times or to find a voting location, contact the Lake County Elections Board at 440-350-2700 or visit www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/. Additionally, Geauga County residents can take Geauga Transit to polling locations at no cost. Free rides are also available for early voting at the Geauga County Elections Board, at 470 Center Street, Bldg. 6, in Chardon. Like Lake County, polling locations in Geauga County are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with no in-person voting on Election Day. Geauga Transit provides door-to-door transit service throughout Geauga County, officials noted, adding that the Vote and Ride program requires reservations which can be made as early as one week before trips and as late as the same day. The agency stated that reservations are made on a first-call, first-served basis, and should be made as soon as possible. To schedule a reservation, call Geauga Transit Dispatch at 440-754-5555. For early voting times or to find your voting location, contact the Geauga County Elections Board at 440-279-2030 or visit www.boe.ohio.gov/geauga.