The 2018 midterm elections on November 6, 2018, prompted a variety of restaurants and brands to offer promotions and freebies to individuals who participated in the voting process. Many of these offers were structured to comply with federal law, which prohibits offering incentives specifically for voting in elections with federal candidates on the ballot. Consequently, several deals were made available to all customers upon request, while others required an "I Voted" sticker as proof of participation. This article details the specific offers, eligibility requirements, and redemption processes based on the available information from the 2018 election period.
Legal Context and Offer Structure
A significant factor influencing the nature of Election Day promotions in 2018 was federal law. According to information cited in the source material, it is illegal in elections where federal candidates are on the ballot to offer free items, such as food or drink, in direct exchange for proof of voting. This legal restriction led many brands to structure their promotions to avoid being tied directly to the act of voting. Some offers were available to any customer who asked, while others used the "I Voted" sticker as a trigger for the deal, which was viewed by some sources as a legal gray area. As a result, the availability of deals was not as widespread as in some previous election years, with several larger chain restaurants opting not to participate.
Restaurant and Brand Offers
The following promotions were reported by multiple sources for Election Day 2018. The offers varied by location, required specific actions for redemption, and had specific validity periods.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack offered a free order of french fries to customers. This deal was redeemable in two ways: by showing an "I Voted" sticker at the counter or by entering the promo code "ivoted" at checkout through the Shake Shack app. The offer was valid on Election Day, November 6, 2018.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Potbelly offered a free cookie with any purchase. This promotion was valid on both Tuesday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Customers could obtain the cookie by showing an "I Voted" sticker or simply by asking for it, as no sticker was required to receive the deal.
California Tortilla
California Tortilla provided a free order of chips and queso with any purchase. To redeem, customers needed to say "I voted" at checkout. This offer was valid at all 50 California Tortilla locations on Election Day.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza offered free delivery for any order placed through the Blaze Pizza app on Election Day. The free delivery was facilitated by DoorDash. This offer did not require an "I Voted" sticker.
Taco John's
Taco John's offered a free order of chips and nacho cheese. This deal was valid for any order placed on the Taco John's app on Election Day. The offer coincided with National Nacho Day.
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
Capriotti's offered a $1 discount on any sub sandwich on Election Day. To receive the discount, customers were required to show a voting sticker.
Bobo's
Bobo's offered a free vegan, gluten-free oat bar. To redeem, customers needed to share that they voted on social media by tagging @eatbobos and using the hashtag #GetOatTheVote.
Chameleon Cold Brew
Chameleon Cold Brew offered a voucher for a free 10-ounce cold brew. To receive the voucher, customers were required to post a selfie with an "I Voted" sticker on social media, tagging @ChameleonColdBrew and using the hashtag #FuelTheVote.
Other Notable Offers
Additional promotions reported by various sources included: * Jack Tar & the Colonel's Daughter (Durham, NC): A complimentary cup of Counter Culture Coffee for anyone wearing an "I Voted!" sticker between now and November 6, 2018. * Baked By Melissa: Free cupcakes with an "I Voted" sticker on Election Day. * Birch Coffee: A free drip coffee at 10 locations in Manhattan. * Blaze Pizza: Free delivery for app orders. * Corner Bakery Cafe: A free brewed or cold brewed coffee with any purchase and an "I Voted" sticker. * Fatz Southern Kitchen: Free Fatz Famous Sweet Tea with an entree purchase and an "I Voted" sticker. * Getaround: $10 off an Election Day car rental with promo code GETAROUND2VOTE. * Motivate: Free bike rides in select cities (check local availability). * Rubio's Coastal Grill: An Original Fish Taco paired with any Mexican or craft beer for $5. * Shake Shack: Free fries with any purchase (as detailed above). * Twin Peaks: A free order of chips and queso with the purchase of a beverage at participating locations, requiring an "I Voted" sticker. * Uber: $10 off a single ride to the polls with code VOTE2018. * Wolff's Biergarten (Syracuse only): A liter of beer for the price of a half-liter with an "I Voted" sticker. * YMCA: Some locations offered free childcare for parents while they visited the polls. * Zip Car: A $20 discount on a future ride for taking a Zip Car to election night events between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Eligibility and Redemption Processes
The eligibility rules and redemption methods for these offers varied significantly. The primary requirement for most deals was participation in the voting process, typically demonstrated by having an "I Voted" sticker. However, as noted, some brands structured their promotions to avoid direct reliance on the sticker.
- Sticker-Based Offers: Deals from brands like Jack Tar & the Colonel's Daughter, Baked By Melissa, California Tortilla (with purchase), Capriotti's, Corner Bakery Cafe, Fatz Southern Kitchen, Twin Peaks, and Wolff's Biergarten required the customer to present a physical "I Voted" sticker to receive the free item or discount.
- App or Code-Based Offers: Several brands used digital methods for redemption. Shake Shack allowed code entry in its app, Taco John's required an order through its app, and Blaze Pizza offered free delivery for app orders. Uber and Getaround used promo codes for ride discounts.
- Social Media Engagement: Bobo's and Chameleon Cold Brew required customers to post on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, tagging the brand and using a specific hashtag to claim their free item.
- Verbal Confirmation: California Tortilla's offer required customers to say "I voted" at checkout, a method that does not require a physical sticker.
- Universal Offers: Potbelly's free cookie was available to any customer who asked, with or without a sticker, making it one of the most accessible deals.
Geographic and Location-Specific Restrictions
Many of the offers were valid at participating locations nationwide, but some had specific geographic limitations. * Birch Coffee was only available at 10 specific locations in Manhattan. * Wolff's Biergarten was valid only at its Syracuse location. * Jack Tar & the Colonel's Daughter was a single-restaurant offer in Durham, North Carolina. * Motivate and YMCA offers were dependent on local participation, requiring customers to check with their specific local providers for availability and details.
Conclusion
The Election Day 2018 restaurant deals and freebies represented a mix of promotional strategies designed to reward voter participation while navigating federal election laws. Offers ranged from simple free items with a sticker, like a cookie from Potbelly or fries from Shake Shack, to more complex social media campaigns from brands like Bobo's and Chameleon Cold Brew. The availability of deals was more limited compared to previous years, with many major chains opting out. For consumers, the key takeaway was the need to check specific terms: whether an "I Voted" sticker was required, if a purchase was necessary, and if the offer was available at their local location. The variety of redemption methods—from in-store sticker presentation to app codes and social media posts—provided multiple avenues for customers to receive a small reward for their civic participation.