During the 2016 election cycle, various businesses and organizations in Raleigh, North Carolina, offered promotional incentives and free services to encourage voter participation. These initiatives ranged from free transportation to polling locations to complimentary food items and retail discounts available upon presentation of an "I Voted" sticker. The availability of these offers coincided with state-level requirements regarding voter identification and efforts by local entities to facilitate access to the polls.
Transportation and Access Services
A significant aspect of the 2016 election support in Raleigh involved transportation assistance, designed to address logistical barriers to voting.
GoRaleigh Free Bus Service The City of Raleigh provided free transportation on GoRaleigh buses on election day, October 8. The Raleigh City Council approved this measure to encourage participation and help citizens exercise their right to vote. This initiative addressed studies, such as a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology survey, which suggested that transportation access was a barrier for 31 percent of registered voters. GoRaleigh operates 84 buses serving approximately 17,000 passengers daily across a 144-square-mile territory.
North Carolina Republican Party Rides to DMV The North Carolina Republican Party announced plans to offer free rides to any North Carolinian needing a valid photo identification to vote in the 2016 elections. According to a news release, the party intended to drive individuals to the nearest DMV location to obtain a free photo ID. Applicants were directed to a specific website to fill out a form to request a ride, after which volunteers would contact them to arrange transportation. The party stated that volunteers were available to help anyone, regardless of political persuasion. This service was established in response to the state's new voter ID law, which required voters to show photo identification at the polls starting in 2016.
Voter Identification Requirements
The context of these freebies was shaped by North Carolina legislation effective January 1, 2016, requiring registered voters to provide a photo ID to cast a ballot. To assist voters in complying with this requirement, the North Carolina DMV and the State Board of Elections collaborated to issue free voter ID cards. These cards were available at all DMV locations to individuals who could prove their identity and eligibility, including those who are homeless or do not drive.
Retail and Service Promotions
Numerous businesses offered free products, discounts, and trials to individuals who presented an "I Voted" sticker or participated in election-related activities on November 8, 2016.
Food and Beverage Offers Several restaurant chains provided complimentary food items: * Krispy Kreme: Participating locations offered a free doughnut. * Great American Cookies: Customers could receive a free regular cookie. * Firehouse Subs: Voters received a free medium drink. * Noodles & Company: The company encouraged customers to vote for their favorite mac and cheese via a poll, after which they could print a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free offer on regular bowls. * East Coast Wings and Grill: This establishment offered five free honey BBQ chicken wings with an entree purchase. * Chuck E Cheese: A coupon code (5253) was available for a free personal pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase. * Bob Evans: Voters received a coupon for 30 percent off their entire order.
Fitness and Service Trials Promotions extended beyond food to services and fitness: * Golds Gym: Exercising the right to vote granted access to exercise facilities for free. * GoToMeeting: Individuals who signed up for the web conferencing service by Election Day could use it free for 30 days. * Zipcar: The car-sharing service offered more than 7,000 cars free on Election Day to help voters travel to the polls. Reservations were required through the Zipcar website or app.
Conclusion
The 2016 election in Raleigh, North Carolina, was characterized by a variety of community and business initiatives aimed at supporting voter participation. These included free public transportation, rides to obtain necessary voter identification, and a wide array of retail freebies and discounts for voters. These offers were available alongside the enforcement of a state law requiring photo identification for voting.