Election Day 2024 offers U.S. voters a variety of incentives to participate in the democratic process. Businesses across the nation, including several in Wichita, Kansas, provide free products, discounts, and special services to individuals who cast their ballots. These promotions typically require proof of voting, such as an "I Voted" sticker, and participation often varies by location. The following guide details verified offers and services available for the November 5, 2024, election, based on current announcements and historical data.
Food and Beverage Offers
Many restaurants and food chains offer complimentary items or discounts to voters on Election Day. These deals usually require the customer to present an "I Voted" sticker or participate in a specific voting-themed promotion.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits and Discounts Red Lobster is offering two specific deals for Election Day 2024. The first is the "Eat Your Feelings" deal, which provides 12 free Cheddar Bay Biscuits and 10% off the next order. To redeem this offer, customers must sign up for My Red Lobster Rewards and place a to-go order of at least $15. The second deal, "Crab Your Way," offers a full pound of simply steamed or roasted garlic butter snow crab legs, crispy potatoes, and a choice of side for $20 on November 5. Both offers are valid only at participating locations.
Free Cookies and Pizza Great American Cookies invites customers to choose one free regular cookie at participating stores on Election Day. This offer requires showing an "I Voted" sticker and no purchase is necessary. While the promotion is national, participation at specific locations, such as the Wichita Towne East Mall store, had not been confirmed at the time of the announcement.
Marcos Pizza offers a free medium 1-topping pizza voucher to customers who visit marcos.com on November 8 to cast a vote for their pizza. Similarly, Noodles & Co. is hosting an election where customers choose from three different bowls of mac-n-cheese. Voting results in a Buy One Get One Free coupon valid until November 16. Polling for this offer is already open.
Coffee and Bakery Deals Reverie Coffee in Wichita offers a 12oz Pope’s Choice Batch Brew for $1 plus tax on Election Day when a customer brings in an "I Voted" or "I Voted Early" sticker. Krispy Kreme offers a free Original Glazed doughnut to anyone on Election Day, regardless of whether they have an "I Voted" sticker. The Wichita location does not participate in the specific "I Voted" sticker promotion, but the free doughnut is available whenever the "hot & fresh" light is on.
Casual Dining Discounts Fazoli’s offers a $2 discount on signature bake menu items for dine-in customers on Election Day. Eligible items include baked chicken parmigiana, loaded baked spaghetti, and spicy baked ziti with Italian sausage.
Transportation Services
Getting to the polls is a critical part of the voting process. Several transportation companies and local services offer free or discounted rides on Election Day.
Rideshare Discounts Uber Eats is providing a 25% discount on all Election Night Eats orders of $25 or more. Additionally, Uber is offering a discount on rides to the polls, though the specific percentage was not detailed in the announcement. Lyft offers a 50% discount on rides to help voters get to the polls. To use this discount, riders must apply the promo code VOTE24.
Car Rentals and Public Transit Hertz is supporting the vote with an extra free rental day when a customer rents a vehicle for two or more days. For local transportation in Wichita, Wichita Transit is offering free bus rides to anyone on Election Day, November 5. Transit routes operate within several blocks of most polling places, and riders do not need to provide documentation of voting to receive a free ride.
Child Care and Community Services
To assist voters who may need support with dependent care or community engagement, specific services are available during voting hours.
Child Care Services Wichita YMCAs and participating locations nationally are offering two hours of free child care for registered voters. This service is available from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Voters are advised to call their nearest Wichita YMCA to confirm participation and learn how to register for the child care service.
Pizza to the Polls Pizza to the Polls is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that delivers free pizza to polling locations with long lines. If a wait is anticipated to be over an hour, voters can report the location via the organization's website or social media. The organization operates nationwide, though the specific report is based on third-party information rather than an official brand website.
Retail and Event Discounts
Retailers and local event organizers also provide incentives for voters, ranging from purchase discounts to social gatherings.
Retail Savings Goodwill Industries of Kansas offers a 10% discount on the entire purchase for customers who wear an "I Voted" sticker into any store on Tuesday, November 8. If the customer also has a Preferred Customer Card, the discount increases to 20%. This offer requires mentioning the sale at the register and cannot be combined with other offers.
Election Day Parties KMUW’s Engage ICT is holding an election day party from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Attendees wearing an "I Voted" sticker have a chance to win prizes. Tickets are available via RSVP. Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes inside the Rhatigan Student Center is hosting an election day watch party. The venue offers 20% off all appetizers and drink specials, with TVs covering election results throughout the day. The location is open until midnight.
Historical Context and Voting Logistics
Understanding the logistics of voting and historical election data helps contextualize the 2024 Election Day offers.
Voting Logistics in Sedgwick County Election Day 2024 is November 5. Polls in Sedgwick County are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 p.m. are still allowed to vote. The Sedgwick County website anticipates long lines at some locations, so voters should allow ample time. Kansas allows early voting, which begins 20 days before Election Day and closes at noon the day before. Early voting includes mail-in ballots (postmarked by Election Day and received within three days) and early in-person voting at designated locations.
Historical Election Data Historical data regarding municipal elections in Wichita highlights voter engagement and candidate history. In the 2015 Mayoral Primary, candidates included Jeff Longwell (28.2%), Samuel M. Williams (25.6%), Lavonta Williams (18.1%), Jennifer Winn (10.7%), Sean Hatfield (10.4%), Dan Heflin (2.7%), Frances Jackson (1.6%), Tony Rosales (1.2%), Tracy S. Stewart (0.8%), and Robert L. E. Culver (0.7%). The total vote count was 18,166. In the General Election, Jeff Longwell defeated Samuel M. Williams with 59.4% of the vote (22,292 votes) to Williams' 35.9% (13,478 votes). The total vote count was 37,522. Incumbent Carl Brewer was ineligible to run due to term limits.
Conclusion
Election Day 2024 presents an opportunity for U.S. voters to access a variety of freebies and deals, ranging from food and beverages to transportation and retail discounts. While many offers are national, local participation—particularly in Wichita, Kansas—varies. Consumers are advised to verify participation with local stores and utilize available transportation services to ensure they can cast their votes. Promotions generally require an "I Voted" sticker or specific sign-ups, so planning ahead is recommended to maximize these benefits.