About TransitToTurnout
Who runs this
TransitToTurnout is created and led by Aleena Patel, a University of Virginia student, working with a team of fellow students and community partners in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Our story
TransitToTurnout began with a story Vicky Salazar shared. On Election Day, Vicky knew exactly where her polling place was — the hard part was getting there. Without a car, she had to go around asking (and, by her own telling, practically begging) someone who shared her polling place for a ride. She was determined to vote, which is why she asked at all — but hearing what that was like made one thing clear: voters without easy transportation often simply stay home, because the inconvenience wins.
There was a second frustration, too: the official lookup itself. Until it gets very close to Election Day, the state's interactive map often doesn't work, and polling place changes are posted late. And when it does work, you have to enter sensitive personal information to verify you're a registered voter before it tells you where to vote. Plenty of people give up after that first step. No one should have to trade personal data — or patience — just to learn where to vote.
There was one more surprise. Vicky knew UVA's bus routes like the back of her hand from years of using TransLoc — but she had never once used the local public transit system. She didn't know the buses went that far. She certainly didn't know they were free. If she didn't know, how many other voters don't either?
Vicky's story is why Aleena Patel really wanted to help — and why she created and built TransitToTurnout as a solution. It shows your polling place up front, with no personal information required, and pairs it with every bus route and stop that can get you there — plus walking, rideshare, and other options when the bus isn't the answer. UVA students, Charlottesville residents, and the Albemarle County community can see where to vote and exactly how to get there in one place.
This platform is the fortunate result of a rewarding partnership. Aleena Patel leads the coding and technical development, turning the idea into a functioning website. Kylie McLaughlin is helping spread the word by visiting classrooms across Grounds, connecting students directly with this resource and other voter education materials. Vicky Salazar is designing brochures, graphics, and flyers to promote TransitToTurnout and hand out across the community. We're immensely grateful for their collaboration on this project.
This initiative would not have been possible without the exceptional mentorship of Dr. Carah Ong Whaley, who constantly challenged us to think ambitiously while providing the guidance and support necessary to bring TransitToTurnout to life.
We're excited to continue expanding TransitToTurnout and, most importantly, to help make accessing election information easier for everyone in our community. Go to the polls!
Nonpartisan commitment
TransitToTurnout is a strictly nonpartisan project. We do not support, oppose, or endorse any candidate, political party, or referendum. We do not ask your name, your party, or your opinions — our only goal is to make sure every eligible voter in our community knows where their polling place is and how to get there.
Contact us
Questions, corrections, or partnership ideas? We'd love to hear from you.
- Email Aleena Patel: ech8bh@virginia.edu
- Spotted something wrong? Send us feedback — it goes straight to the team.
Our partners
TransitToTurnout is made possible with support from:
