Lyft's discount rides to the polls violated Georgia law, State Election Board rules
The State Election Board has found that Lyft violated Georgia law by offering discounted rides to voters on Election Day.
Board members argued that the discounted service mainly benefits voters in the metro Atlanta area and violates a law against paying for votes.
The ruling does not come with any punishment or criminal investigation.
ATLANTA - A new Georgia State Election Board ruling has found that ridesharing company Lyft violated state law by offering discounted rides to the polls on Election Day.
The board voted 3 to 1 that the company broke the law against paying for votes with the discounts.
The backstory
Lyft and other ridesharing services have offered discounts of up to 50% for any voters heading to the polls in Georgia for the last few years on Election Day. The discounts usually require a promotional code.
The Georgia Secretary of State's Office has been investigating the service, and submitted its findings to the State Election Board on Tuesday.
What they're saying
Republican Janice Johnson argued that, while Georgians have access to the service, the program unfairly benefited those in the state's metro areas compared to those in rural parts of the state.
Johnson pointed to a report by the Secretary of State's office, which showed that the metro Atlanta area and North Georgia had media coverage of the discounted ride offer.
"I like the idea of rides to the polls, but it must be offered to every voter in Georgia to be a fair offer. Otherwise, it's a gift or a payment to vote, which seems to me to be a violation of [the law]," Johnson said.
The other side
Democrat Sara Tindall Ghazal compared Lyft's Election Day offer to those of Georgia churches or community groups that help voters get to their local polling place.
"To suggest that the only way that is not considered a gift is that it's offered statewide is nonsensical to me," she said. "I understand that Lyft is statewide - wherever Lyft operates, which is really dependent on the freelancers who drive for Lyft, and I don't know that there's any way to understand the scope of where those services are offered."
What's next
The ruling does not come with any punishment or criminal investigation, but the State Election Board will send a letter to Lyft informing the company that the policy violates Georgia election law.
The board also dismissed a similar case regarding the national group Rideshare to Vote, saying that the free rides the organization offered did not violate the law.
The Source
Information for this story came from a hearing by the State Election Board.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Florida Voters Urged To Check Driver's License Issue
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida voters are being urged to verify their driver's license information ahead of upcoming elections as mismatched or outdated records could prevent some residents from casting ballots. Newsweek has contacted the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the office of the supervisor of elections for comment via email. Why It Matters Several U.S. House districts in Florida are expected to be competitive in the 2026 midterm elections. Districts such as the 10th, 15th and 16th have drawn attention because of shifting demographics and political dynamics. Both major parties are preparing for intense campaigns in these areas, and any elections in the state could affect the balance of power in Congress. A highway near Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 13, 2018. A highway near Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 13, 2018. Getty Images What To Know According to WPTV, any licenses issued from July 31, 2024, onward will include updated combination numbers, and this change could have significant implications for future voters. The change means that those attempting to request a vote-by-mail ballot online will encounter error messages if their driver's license information is out of sync with their voter registration. In-person voting is not affected by the new license changes. But Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland told Action News Jax that petitions could also be affected. "If you don't update your registration info and use your new license number on a petition, it can't be counted. So that's where you do want that update prior to putting your new number on a petition form," he said. The Florida DMV said the update was designed to make driver's licenses more secure. The new licenses feature an updated two-digit number within the license number that corresponds to the holder's birth year. The Supervisor of Elections Office, which has been sharing guidance about the change through newsletters and press releases, plans to send postcards as Election Day approaches to remind residents to verify and update their voter registration details. When updating a driver's license, voters should check the box indicating "yes" to update their voter information, even if no other changes are being made. This simple step can prevent problems on Election Day. Brad Ashwell of All Voting Is Local told Action News Jax that a new license number wouldn't "automatically update with your local supervisor of elections." He added that the update came into play especially for voters "who want to vote by mail, which is, you know, hugely popular all over the state with both parties." Voters can also contact the Supervisor of Elections Office directly or visit to confirm their registration. Holland said he had asked the state whether it would eventually automatically advise election supervisors when a voter's driver's license number changed and that he expected an answer by Monday. Vote-by-mail requests must be submitted to the supervisor of elections at least 12 days before an election. What Happens Next In Palm Beach County, there's a special election for the Republican Party in House District 90 on September 30, followed by the special general election on December 9. The midterm elections follow in November 2026, with the primaries taking place in August.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S. Postal Service Reveals New Forever Stamp Design Honoring Former President Jimmy Carter
PLAINS, Ga., Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. The Postal Service plans to release the stamp for purchase on Oct. 1 in Atlanta, on what would have been former President Carter's 101st birthday. Representatives of the Friends of Jimmy Carter, the National Park Service and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamp art today at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains. "The stamp program celebrates the best in American culture, places and people, and it is difficult to consider a more fitting honoree than former President Jimmy Carter. In his support and leadership of his beloved community, state, and nation, he lent his quiet, thoughtful and deliberate energy around causes he believed in, and most certainly in his conduct and accomplishments as a former President, Jimmy Carter truly personified the best in America. I am honored to participate in the reveal of this stamp art which fully evokes his humanity," said Peter Pastre the Postal Service's government relations and public policy vice president. Kim Carter Fuller, executive director of the Friends of Jimmy Carter said, "The Carter family and the Friends of Jimmy Carter are honored to be able to take part in revealing the design for President Carter's Forever stamp. Together we've had the distinct privilege of a front row seat to his life and legacy, and today's reveal gives the world an opportunity to share his legacy with others on a daily basis". From his origins in small-town Georgia, Carter came to the White House as an outsider who represented a new generation of progressive Southern politicians. Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president on Jan. 20, 1977. During his term Carter would make humility and reconciliation recurring themes in his presidency. Carter made a mark with his appointments of many women and minorities to government positions. He created a presidential commission on mental health, established new cabinet departments, and greatly increased the size of the National Park System and federally designated wilderness areas. Mindful of the nation's fiscal position, he was deeply concerned with trying to balance the federal budget and control inflation. In his efforts to improve the economy, he ushered through deregulation in several industries, including energy and air travel. On the world stage, Carter was praised for personally negotiating the Camp David Accords, providing a framework for peace in the Middle East. He signed SALT II, a treaty with the Soviet Union to limit strategic nuclear arms, and he initiated a major change in foreign policy when he announced that the United States would officially recognize and establish formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. After leaving the presidency, Carter became a prominent activist for peace, human rights and social and economic progress around the world. In 1982, he partnered with Emory University to establish the Carter Center, which advances democracy, monitors elections, mediates disputes and works to prevent tropical diseases in the world's poorest nations. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 — cementing his reputation as one of the most active and impactful former presidents. The stamp art is a 1982 oil-on-linen painting created as a life study by artist Herbert E. Abrams (1921-2003) in preparation for painting his official White House portrait. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp. As a Forever stamp, the Jimmy Carter stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News of the Jimmy Carter stamp is being shared with the hashtag #JimmyCarterStamp. Postal ProductsCustomers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit and National contact: James Local contact: Tiffany View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE U.S. Postal Service Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Bitcoin Mining Gets A Major Power Boost. Here's What Comes Next
The U.S. bitcoin mining industry just got its most disruptive upgrade yet. On August 14, 2025, Block unveiled Proto Rig, a modular, repairable, and upgradable bitcoin mining system, alongside Proto Fleet, a free and open-source fleet management software platform. The announcement took place at Core Scientific's bitcoin mining facility in Dalton, Georgia, where Proto Rigs are already in use. It comes at a high point for the industry, just one day after Bitcoin hit a record $124,457.12 and 24 hours after crypto exchange Bullish's explosive IPO. Proto is owned by Block, co-founded by Jack Dorsey, the creator of Twitter (now X). Block's portfolio includes Square, Cash App, Afterpay, Tidal, and Bitkey. The timing could not be more telling. Institutional enthusiasm for digital assets is rising, and the U.S. regulatory climate has grown friendlier, even as the economics of mining face more pressure from bitcoin's quadrennial halving. In this environment, Block's launch of mining hardware and software reads as a deliberate bid to address the industry's deepest pain points. Chinese Bitcoin Mining Hardware Giants Shift To U.S. Production Amid Tariffs For more than a decade, the global bitcoin mining hardware market has been overwhelmingly dominated by Chinese manufacturers such as Bitmain and MicroBT, whose ASIC rigs account for the vast majority of machines in operation worldwide. These units are known for high hash power but typically designed as short-lived, single-use machines that are expensive to replace, difficult to repair, and offer little flexibility for upgrades. The three largest Chinese bitcoin mining manufacturers are setting up U.S. production to avoid newly imposed tariffs from President Donald Trump. Together, they control over 90% of the global market, raising U.S. security concerns about reliance on Chinese hardware in critical crypto infrastructure. Block's Proto Rig Promises Decade-Long Lifespan And Game-Changing Mining Efficiency Proto Rig flips the current model on its head, offering a 10-year lifespan with modular hashboards, 90-second tool-free repairs, and upgrades on the operator's schedule. It delivers 1.5 times the power efficiency per foot of rack space and is compatible with both modern and legacy infrastructure, eliminating costly retrofits. 'Mining hardware hasn't really changed in years,' said Thomas Templeton, Block's hardware lead. 'Machines break often, are hard to repair, expensive and time-consuming to upgrade, and don't make the most efficient use of power or space. With Rig, we set out to change all of that — and contribute to hardware decentralization in the process.' By treating mining equipment as infrastructure instead of disposable gear, Block is giving operators a way to smooth capital expenditures over a longer period. For miners facing revenue cuts every four years, the ability to extend the lifecycle of a rig from three to five years to a decade could prove transformative. Free Open-Source Proto Fleet Software Launches To Modernize Bitcoin Mining Operations Proto Fleet promises to be just as groundbreaking as the hardware. This open-source software brings power scaling, diagnostics, monitoring, and maintenance into one streamlined platform. It is free for any miner to use, with or without Proto hardware. 'Mining hasn't really caught up with advances in software more broadly,' Templeton said. 'We saw an opportunity to make mining software something modern that improves operational efficiency instead of unnecessarily complicating things.' Open-sourcing Proto Fleet means anyone from large-scale operations to small independent miners can build on it, customize it, and improve it for the broader community. It marks a clear break from the closed and opaque software models that have long dominated the space. Proto Takes On Chinese Dominance In Bitcoin Mining Hardware U.S.-based Block is challenging the long-standing monopoly Chinese companies have held over bitcoin mining hardware, a dominance that has fueled security and supply chain concerns. While Proto has not disclosed its manufacturing locations, the move could open the door to new competitors, spur innovation, lower costs, and lessen reliance on a single source for critical mining infrastructure. How Bitcoin Miners Survive The 2028 Halving The mining business is uniquely cyclical. Every four years, the bitcoin halving cuts block rewards in half, instantly reducing miner revenue unless offset by higher bitcoin prices or operational efficiencies. The next bitcoin halving is scheduled for April 2028. Proto Rig's efficiency gains and lifecycle extension directly address this challenge. Lower repair costs, minimal downtime, and the ability to upgrade hashboards instead of entire units help miners preserve margins in a tightening reward environment. The open-source Proto Fleet software further supports this by streamlining operations and optimizing energy usage. Combined, these factors could make the difference between profitability and shutdown for some operators, especially in competitive energy markets. Potential Ripple Effects For The U.S. Bitcoin Mining Industry The debut of Proto Rig and Proto Fleet has the potential to shift dynamics in the bitcoin mining sector. If the hardware gains traction, it could encourage competition in a market long dominated by Chinese manufacturers, possibly lowering prices and expanding options. More durable and efficient rigs might help U.S. miners grow operations and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains. By offering open-source, free-to-use software, Block could also lower barriers for smaller miners, which may foster greater network decentralization and inspire advances in efficiency and energy integration. Bitcoin Record High And Bullish NYSE Debut Set The Stage For Proto's Newest Launch The unveiling of Proto Rig and Proto Fleet comes amid strong momentum in the crypto industry. Just a day earlier, Peter Thiel-backed exchange Bullish, led by former NYSE president Tom Farley, began trading on the NYSE, raising $1.1 billion. Pair that with Bitcoin's new all-time high, and Block's timing is ideal. The company is positioning itself not just as a hardware maker but as a strategic infrastructure provider for Bitcoin's next phase of growth, for all the players in the mining industry. 'What's Good For Bitcoin Is Good for All of Us' The energy at Proto's launch made it clear that Jack Dorsey and his team know how to deliver game-changing moments for Bitcoin. 'What's good for Bitcoin is good for all of us,' Thomas Templeton said in closing, summing up the ethos behind Proto's design. For miners, Proto Rig and Proto Fleet may offer a path to higher uptime, lower costs, and greater operational control. For U.S. based miners, this pivotal design advancement marks a shift toward open, collaborative innovation and away from reliance on a single country's manufacturing base. In a market grappling with shrinking margins and mounting energy scrutiny, the launch underscores that the sector's next significant advancements may be forged in the open.
