Election Day in the United States has increasingly become a day for businesses to offer promotional incentives to encourage civic participation. These offers, often referred to as "Election Day freebies," range from free food and beverages to discounts on rides and services. Typically, these promotions require customers to show proof of voting, most commonly in the form of the "I Voted" sticker issued at polling locations. The availability of these offers varies by year, location, and participating business. Based on the provided source materials, which cover various election years, this guide details the types of freebies and deals available to consumers.
Food and Beverage Promotions
One of the most common categories for Election Day incentives is food and beverage. National chains and local establishments alike have historically offered free items or discounts to voters.
Doughnuts and Breakfast Items
Krispy Kreme has been a prominent participant in Election Day promotions. According to sources from multiple years, the brand has offered a free Original Glazed doughnut to guests on Election Day. Some reports indicate that no proof of voting, such as an "I Voted" sticker, is required, while others simply mention the availability of the doughnut. Specific geographic restrictions have been noted in the past; for example, one report cited that certain locations in California did not participate in the promotion.
Coffee and Beverages
Coffee promotions are also frequently available. 7-Eleven has offered free coffee to customers who use their mobile app, though specific requirements for Election Day may vary. Other establishments, such as The Pie Hole in Los Angeles, have provided free coffee to customers presenting a voting stub.
In addition to coffee, some businesses offer other beverages. Fire House Subs has historically provided a free medium drink, and Johnny Rockets has offered a free shake to guests who can prove they voted.
Full Meals and Restaurant Deals
Several restaurant chains offer discounts or free items with a purchase. Marco’s Pizza has previously offered a free medium pizza, while Noodles and Company provided a BOGO free coupon. Chili’s has offered a Presidente Margarita for $5 along with a commemorative sticker.
Other notable restaurant deals include: - Dave & Buster's: Offered a $19.99 Eat, Drink, Play Combo Meal, $5 draft beers, and $5 Late Night Bites. - Fazoli's: Provided $2 off signature baked items like Baked Chicken Parmigiano. - Genghis Grill: Offered 20% off orders (in-store only, excluding alcohol) for those showing an "I Voted" sticker. - O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar: Offered a Classic Cheeseburger with fries for $6. - McDonald’s: In one instance, offered new pastry items with the purchase of a hot or iced coffee through their app.
Food Delivery Services
Delivery apps have also joined in on Election Day promotions. DoorDash has offered free delivery on orders with a minimum spend and a specific promo code. Grubhub has provided various discounts through its Perks tab. Uber Eats has offered percentage-based discounts (e.g., 25% off) on Election Night orders, often with a minimum order requirement and a maximum discount cap.
Transportation and Travel Incentives
Getting to the polls is a key part of the voting process, and several companies have offered transportation-related deals to facilitate this.
Ridesharing and Public Transit
Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have offered significant discounts on rides to polling places. Common offers include 50% off rides (up to a specific dollar amount, such as $10) when using a specific code or clicking a "Go Vote" tile in the app. Some offers are valid only during specific hours on Election Day.
Public transit authorities have also participated. In Tucson, Sun Tran offered free rides on Election Day, including Sun Van and the Streetcar. Similarly, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has offered free rides to the polls.
Car Rentals
Car rental companies have incentivized voters with special deals. Hertz has offered a "Drive the Vote" deal, providing one free rental day when customers rent a car for two or more days. This promotion typically requires renting the car for at least two days to receive the free day on Election Day.
Retail and Entertainment Offers
Beyond food and transportation, other businesses offer unique incentives for voters.
Home Goods and Retail
IKEA has participated by offering free frozen yogurt at participating Swedish bistros. Customers typically need to obtain a coupon from the IKEA website to redeem this offer.
Entertainment and Sports
Entertainment venues have also created voting incentives. The Tucson Roadrunners hockey club offered a two-for-one ticket deal for a game to anyone presenting an "I Voted" sticker. Additionally, a local dance studio offered a free dance lesson to voters.
Media Services
In past elections, media services like Sling TV have offered free access to a selection of channels on Election Day to allow viewers to catch election coverage.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
The rules for redeeming Election Day freebies can vary significantly between businesses.
- Proof of Voting: The most common requirement is showing an "I Voted" sticker. Some businesses may accept other proof, such as a voting stub. However, certain offers, like the Krispy Kreme doughnut in some instances, do not require any proof.
- Location Restrictions: Offers are often limited to participating locations. For example, specific Krispy Kreme locations in California were excluded from a past promotion.
- App Usage: Some deals, such as free coffee at 7-Eleven or pastry deals at McDonald's, require the use of the company's mobile app.
- Time Restrictions: Many offers are valid only on Election Day, while others, like Dunkin's Free Coffee Wednesdays, extend beyond the election period.
- Minimum Purchase: Some discounts, particularly those from delivery apps or car rental companies, require a minimum spend or rental duration.
Conclusion
Election Day freebies serve as a popular method for businesses to engage with consumers and promote civic engagement. The types of offers available include free food, beverages, transportation discounts, and entertainment perks. While many of these promotions are tied to the act of showing proof of voting, eligibility rules, geographic restrictions, and redemption methods can vary. Consumers interested in these offers should check with specific brands and local participating locations for the most current information regarding availability and terms.