Election Day 2018 in Atlanta featured a variety of complimentary offers and discounts aimed at encouraging civic participation. Businesses across the city, including restaurants, coffee shops, and transportation services, provided free items, special deals, and no-cost rides to voters. These promotions were often structured to be available to all customers, though many were promoted with an "I Voted" sticker as a symbolic gesture. The initiatives ranged from free coffee and doughnuts to discounted meals and transportation vouchers, reflecting a broader trend of brands engaging with the electoral process. The Georgia 55 Project and other grassroots efforts further supported voters by providing sustenance at polling locations, with some partnerships involving local restaurants to distribute food and supplies.
The availability of these offers was primarily publicized through local media and social media channels. For instance, multiple sources highlighted specific deals such as free oat milk drinks at East Pole Coffee, a complimentary "Voter Doughnut" at Hero Doughnuts for the first 50 customers with a sticker, and free regular coffee at Little Tart Bake Shop. Other establishments like King of Pops offered percentage-based discounts using promo codes, while Whiskey Bird extended happy hour specials. Transportation options included free rides via Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for those with a voter registration card, and discounted rides through ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft using specific promotional codes. These offers were generally valid only on Election Day, November 6, 2018, and required specific actions such as presenting a sticker, entering a code, or showing a registration card.
Participation in these promotions was generally open to the public, though specific eligibility rules applied to certain offers. For transportation services like DART, a valid voter registration card was required to access free rides between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Ride-sharing discounts from Uber and Lyft required the use of specific promo codes such as VOTE2018 or VOTEMD2018. In the food and beverage sector, many deals were contingent upon the presentation of an "I Voted" sticker or the use of promo codes like "ivoted" for app-based orders. Some offers, such as those from 7-Eleven, required downloading a mobile app to redeem a free coffee. The terms of these offers were typically limited to Election Day, November 6, 2018, with some extending to the following day or specific time frames, such as the 5 p.m. cutoff for East Pole Coffee's free drinks.
The Georgia 55 Project emerged as a significant grassroots initiative, coordinating food and supply distribution at polling locations throughout metro Atlanta. The project, which originated during the 2018 midterm elections, partnered with various Atlanta-area restaurants to provide snacks, water, and other items to voters. The initiative was named to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 55,000-vote margin in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. Following the election, leftover food and supplies were donated to community organizations such as Free99Fridge, Covenant House, and Nicolas House. Individual efforts were also noted, such as King Williams' pizza and snack initiative in DeKalb and Clayton counties, and Chef Hugh Acheson's plan to provide 2,000 meals to eight polling locations in Georgia.
Specific food and drink promotions in Atlanta included:
- Hero Doughnuts: A free "Voter Doughnut" for the first 50 customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker at the Summerhill location.
- Little Tart Bake Shop: A free 12-ounce regular coffee at Krog Street Market, Grant Park, or Summerhill locations with a sticker.
- King of Pops: 20 percent off online orders using the promo code "IVOTED" and a chance to win a Patriot Pop 12-pack by commenting on Instagram.
- Whiskey Bird: A steak and fajita takeout special for $48 and extended happy hour specials until closing on November 3.
- Storico Fresco: Half-priced cocktails on Election Day.
- Little Spirit: A free "snaquiri" (bite-sized daiquiri) for those presenting an "I Voted" sticker.
- Krab Queenz: 50 percent off daiquiris or shrimp plates on November 6 with proof of voting.
- Revelator Coffee: $1 off the order with a voter sticker.
- 7-Eleven: A free cup of coffee through the mobile app.
- Shake Shack: Free fries with any purchase using an "I Voted" sticker or the code "ivoted" in the app.
- Potbelly: A free cookie with an entree purchase on November 6 and 7.
- Corner Bakery Cafe: Free brewed or cold brewed coffee with purchase using a sticker.
- Capriotti's Sandwich Shop: $1 off any sub with a voting sticker.
- Jersey Mike's: $2 off any regular sub through November 6.
Transportation offers included:
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): Free rides on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for those with a valid voter registration card. Rides covered DART bus, light rail, Paratransit, or Trinity Railway Express.
- Lime: Free rides for up to 30 minutes on bikes, e-bikes, and scooters using the code LIME2VOTE18.
- Uber: $10 off a single ride to the polls using the code VOTE2018.
- Lyft: 50 percent off rides to voting locations or up to $5 off using the code VOTEMD2018.
- Divvy: Free rides through an "Explorer Pass" valid for unlimited three-hour trips in a 24-hour period using the code VOTE18.
- Zipcar: $20 toward a future trip with an Election Day rental between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Additional miscellaneous offers included:
- Sippn at Home: Ready-to-pour cocktail kits with a portion of proceeds donated to Fair Fight Action.
- Salaryman: An Election Night survival kit with champagne and whiskey cocktails.
- 1933 Group (Los Angeles): $1 Moscow Mules or Old Fashioneds from 5 to 7 p.m. for those with an "I Voted" sticker.
The scope of these offers extended beyond Atlanta to other regions, though the focus of the provided data remained on Atlanta and Georgia. For example, transportation freebies were available in Dallas, and food deals were present in Chicago and Los Angeles. However, the primary concentration of the sourced information detailed the Atlanta landscape. The initiatives highlighted the role of local businesses in supporting voter engagement through tangible benefits, often framing the offers as a "thank you" for civic duty rather than direct incentives to vote, to navigate legal restrictions.
The structure of these promotions often involved partnerships between businesses and community organizations. The Georgia 55 Project's collaboration with restaurants exemplified this, creating a network of support for voters at the polls. Similarly, individual chefs and restaurateurs organized their own efforts to feed voters, demonstrating a commitment to community service. The use of social media and promo codes was a common method for distributing discounts, allowing brands to track engagement and limit offers to specific time frames. The requirement for physical evidence of voting, such as an "I Voted" sticker, was a prevalent theme, serving as both a verification method and a symbol of civic participation.
In summary, Election Day 2018 in Atlanta was marked by a diverse array of freebies and deals from local and national brands. These offers provided value to consumers while promoting voter turnout. The availability of free transportation, food, and drinks was widespread, with specific terms and conditions governing redemption. Grassroots efforts complemented these commercial promotions, ensuring that voters at the polls were supported with necessary supplies. The data indicates a robust ecosystem of support for the electoral process, leveraging the appeal of free offers to enhance the voting experience.