Election Day 2024, held on November 5, featured a variety of freebies and promotional offers from businesses aiming to reward voters for their civic participation. These promotions ranged from complimentary food items and discounted rideshare services to free public transportation and special deals on entertainment and dining. The offers were generally available to individuals who visited polling locations or presented "I Voted" stickers, though specific requirements and eligibility varied by provider.
Food and Beverage Freebies
A significant number of food and beverage establishments participated in Election Day promotions, offering everything from donuts to full meals. These deals were designed to provide a small reward for voters, often requiring minimal effort to redeem.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme offered a prominent promotion across its U.S. locations on November 5, 2024. The company provided a free Original Glazed doughnut to customers. While some sources indicated that an "I Voted" sticker was required to receive the free doughnut, other reports suggested that no proof of voting was necessary. The company also reportedly offered free "I Voted" stickers at their shops for customers who voted early or voted by mail. This promotion was part of what Krispy Kreme termed "DOUGHmocracy." According to a statement from Dave Skena, Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme, "Participating in our democracy should be celebrated! So, we’re happy to sweeten everyone’s day with free Original Glazed doughnuts on Election Day."
Johnny Rockets
The burger chain Johnny Rockets offered a free milkshake to patrons on November 5. To redeem this offer, customers were required to mention "Free Shake" at the register when placing an in-store purchase. The promotion was valid for non-vegan milkshakes and was available with any in-store purchase. Some reports indicated that the offer was valid for a "free shake," while others specified it was for a "free milkshake."
Fazoli's
Fazoli's, an Italian restaurant chain based in Lexington, Kentucky, offered a $2 discount on specific menu items on Election Day. The discount applied to in-store purchases of three signature bake menu items: Chicken Parmigiano, Loaded Baked Spaghetti, and Spicy Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage. This deal was available to guests who had cast their ballots.
Dave & Buster's
Dave & Buster's provided several Election Day specials at their food and entertainment locations. These included a "$19.99 Eat, Drink, Play Combo Meal," which consisted of a choice of entrée, a fountain drink, and a $10 power card. Additionally, they offered $5 beers all day, featuring 22-ounce drafts of Miller Lite, Coors Light, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra. The chain also featured "$5 Late Night Bites" on Sundays through Thursdays after 10 p.m.
Junior's Restaurant & Cheesecake
Junior's Restaurant & Cheesecake, based in Brooklyn, New York, offered deals to help alleviate Election Day stress. Patrons could receive half off cheesecake slices with the purchase of any entree. For those looking to buy whole cakes, the offer included $5 off in-restaurant purchases and $7 off all cakes ordered online, valid through the Thursday following Election Day.
Yogurtland
Yogurtland offered a 15% discount to customers who presented an "I Voted" sticker at their frozen yogurt shops on November 5. This discount allowed customers to enjoy seasonal offerings such as Brown Vanilla Sugar or Cranberry Orange Tart.
Flat Top Grill
The restaurant chain Flat Top Grill provided a 20% discount on the in-store tab for customers who visited with their "I Voted" sticker. This discount excluded alcohol purchases.
Hail Mary Pizza
Hail Mary Pizza in Atwater Village offered a free cheese pizza slice for voters. This offer was available for pickup only.
Maple Block Meat Co.
Located in Culver City, Maple Block Meat Co. offered voters a choice between a free draft beer or a "Line Cook special."
Desert 5 Spot
Desert 5 Spot provided a complimentary margarita to customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker. This offer was available from 6 p.m. onward and coincided with live performances at Songwriter Softspot Nights.
Holy Water
In West Hollywood, Holy Water offered a two-for-one cocktail deal and a free tequila shot to holders of an "I Voted" sticker.
Bar Magnolia
Bar Magnolia in Downtown offered a 10% discount to guests who presented an "I Voted" sticker.
John's Grill
John's Grill, a historic restaurant in San Francisco, hosted an Election Day Luncheon on November 5, offering complimentary lunch and wine. This event was hosted by former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Transportation and Mobility Offers
Several companies in the transportation sector offered discounted or free rides to facilitate travel to and from polling locations on Election Day.
Uber
Uber offered a 50% discount on rides to polling locations, with a maximum discount of $10. To access this deal, users were instructed to open the Uber app and select the "Go Vote!" feature on Election Day. The app would then direct the user to the closest polling destination and automatically apply the discount. Some reports indicated that the app would help users find the nearest polling place. Additionally, Uber Eats offered 25% off orders with a $25 minimum order value, available from 6 p.m. local time on November 5 until 7 a.m. local time on November 6.
Lyft
Lyft provided a similar promotion, offering a 50% discount (up to $10) on rides to polling sites on Election Day. Users were instructed to preload the ride code "VOTE24" on or before November 5 to access the discount.
Lime
Lime, an electric scooter and e-bike company, offered free rides to and from polling places. The promotion was valid from October 29 through November 5. Users could redeem the offer by using the code "VOTE2024" for a free 30-minute ride.
Metro (Los Angeles)
In Los Angeles, Metro offered free rides on all Metro bus and rail lines on Election Day to facilitate the voting process. Metro also identified several locations with ballot drop-off boxes, including Union Station (East Portal), El Monte Bus Station J Line, Harbor Freeway Station C and J Lines, Harbor Gateway Transit Center J Line, Hollywood/Westwestern Station B Line, North Hollywood Station B Line, Norwalk Station C Line, Westlake/MacArthur Park B/D Line station, and Wilshire/Vermont Station B and D Lines.
Retail and Service Promotions
Beyond food and transportation, other businesses offered deals related to car rentals, home furnishings, and entertainment.
Hertz
Hertz offered a rental promotion where customers could receive one free rental day when renting a vehicle for at least two days on Election Day.
IKEA
IKEA was listed among businesses offering Election Day deals, though specific details regarding the nature of the promotion were not provided in the source material.
"I Voted" Sticker Initiatives
The "I Voted" sticker served as the primary mechanism for redeeming many Election Day offers. While most businesses required the sticker as proof of participation, Krispy Kreme notably offered free stickers to customers who voted early or by mail, ensuring broader access to their promotional items.
Conclusion
Election Day 2024 saw a diverse array of businesses participating in promotions to reward voters. The offers spanned multiple sectors, including food service, transportation, and retail. While many deals required the presentation of an "I Voted" sticker, others utilized app-based features or specific promo codes. The availability of these offers varied by location and provider, with some deals available nationally and others limited to specific regions or cities.