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Virginia woman offers free rides to voters to get them to the polls

Posted at 4:41 PM, Nov 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-06 17:15:16-05

Washington insiders are predicting a much higher than usual turnout for the midterm elections, and a lot of big companies are helping voters get to the polls! Uber and Lyft are among those offering free rides.

But it’s not just big companies doing a good deed on Election Day. One woman, Cheryl Fleming, is personally taking voters to the polls, calling it her civic duty.

Despite the wet weather in Virginia today, Fleming is behind the wheel, volunteering her time to voters.

"Pickin’ up folks and taking them to the polls, insuring that they have no excuse," says Fleming.

There’s a reason why Fleming is doing this. Over two decades ago, she had a felony conviction on her record and was stripped of her right to vote.

But in 2016, that right was restored. She was 54 years old when she cast her first ballot. Now, she's making it her mission to get people to the polls.

One of Fleming’s passengers on Election Day was 70-year-old Marine veteran Joseph Crouch, who has a similar story to Fleming’s.

“When you're an ex-felon, you feel isolated and locked out,” says Crouch.

Crouch’s voting rights were restored four years ago, but this is his very first election. He says he has Fleming to thank for getting him to the polls.

“She’s a fantastic person, Crouch said.

“For her to step up like she’s doing, that’s fantastic.”