Election Day in Michigan has historically been accompanied by a variety of freebies and discounts offered by local and national businesses to reward citizens for casting their ballots. These incentives, ranging from free food to discounted transportation, are designed to encourage civic participation. While it is technically illegal to offer freebies or discounts in direct exchange for voting, businesses often frame these offers as encouragement for those who have visited their polling stations. The following guide details the types of freebies available, how to access them, and the specific requirements involved, based on information from various reports covering election years such as 2016 and 2018, as well as more recent updates regarding transportation access.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of Election Day freebies centers on food and beverages. Many restaurant chains and convenience stores participate by offering free items or significant discounts to voters who can prove they have cast a ballot.
Doughnuts and Coffee
Krispy Kreme is one of the most prominent participants in Election Day promotions. Reports from multiple years indicate that the doughnut chain offers a free doughnut to anyone visiting a participating location while wearing an "I Voted" sticker. In some instances, the offer has included specific flavors, such as limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Cake and Salted Caramel Latte Doughnuts. Additionally, Krispy Kreme has offered special pricing for rewards members, such as two dozen doughnuts for $13, available with an email coupon on both Tuesday and Wednesday following the election. To access these rewards member deals, individuals typically need to join the Krispy Kreme rewards program via their website.
7-Eleven has also consistently offered free coffee on Election Day. To redeem this offer, customers must download the 7-Eleven mobile app and visit a participating location. The offer generally covers one coffee of any size per customer. This method of redemption highlights the trend of brands using mobile apps to distribute promotional offers.
Other coffee and bakery items available have included free chocolate chip cookies from Nestle Toll House Cafe (with "I Voted" sticker) and free orders of "crack fries" from HopCat, which also provided a venue to watch election results.
Pizza and Casual Dining
Casual dining chains have also joined in with pizza-based incentives. Chuck E. Cheese has offered a free personal pepperoni pizza with the purchase of another pizza. To redeem this, customers have been instructed to either tell the cashier they voted or use a specific coupon code (such as #5253 or 5235, depending on the report). This offer allows families to combine civic duty with a meal.
Marco's Pizza was also noted as offering free Election Day pizza, though specific details on the redemption process were not fully elaborated in the provided sources beyond directing users to marcos.com.
Bob Evans offered a 30 percent discount on the total bill after 2 p.m. on Election Day. This coupon-based offer required users to present a specific coupon, which was detailed in various deal reports.
Sandwiches and Other Meals
Firehouse Subs provided a free medium drink with any purchase for voters wearing an "I Voted" sticker. Similarly, Potbelly Sandwich Shop distributed free cookies with any entree purchase on Election Day and the following Wednesday.
Schlotzsky's Deli offered a "buy one, get one free" deal on mac and cheese with coupon code 4207. This offer was specifically noted for locations in Michigan, emphasizing the localized nature of many of these promotions.
BurgerFi offered a discount on the "Conflicted Burger" (a mix of meat and veggie patties) for $5 to voters showing an "I Voted" sticker. This offer was limited to specific locations in Michigan, such as Ann Arbor and Northville.
Transportation Discounts and Free Rides
Getting to the polls is a crucial part of the voting process, and several transportation services have offered discounts or free rides to assist voters.
Rideshare Services
Uber and Lyft have been key players in providing transportation incentives. In various election cycles, Uber has offered discounts ranging from $10 to $20 off a ride to the polls. For example, first-time users have been able to use codes like "VOTE TODAY" or "VOTE2018" to receive $20 off or $10 off, respectively. These offers typically require the latest version of the Uber app and are often limited to new users.
Lyft has provided discounts of 50 percent or up to $5 off rides across the country. In some instances, Lyft partnered with Buzzfeed to allow users to enter their zip code to access the discount. Additionally, Lyft has offered free rides to underserved communities facing transportation obstacles.
Public Transit and Other Options
Public transit agencies and other organizations have also stepped up to provide access. The YMCA has offered free childcare to allow parents to vote without worrying about their children. While the provided sources mention free childcare, they do not explicitly detail the logistics or eligibility beyond the general offer.
Zipcar offered free access to vehicles for several hours on Election Day evening (from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) for users with reservations. This allowed for flexible transportation during the critical evening hours when results are often watched.
More recent reports indicate that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has emphasized the importance of transportation access, noting that various transit agencies and companies across the state offer free or discounted rates on Election Day or during early voting weeks. Specific details on which agencies participate are not fully enumerated in the provided chunks, but the general advice is to check local transit authorities or specific company apps for current offers.
Eligibility and Redemption Processes
Accessing these Election Day freebies generally requires specific actions from the voter. The most common requirement is the "I Voted" sticker, which serves as physical proof of participation. Without this sticker, many food and drink offers are unavailable.
For app-based offers, such as those from 7-Eleven or Uber, users must download the respective application, create an account (if a new user), and often enter a specific promotional code. These codes change annually and are distributed through news outlets and deal websites.
Coupon codes for food items, such as those for Chuck E. Cheese or Schlotzsky's, must be presented at the time of purchase. These are often found in local news articles or on the brands' social media channels.
It is always recommended to call ahead to specific locations to confirm participation, as franchise ownership can vary, and not all locations may honor national promotions.
Legal Context and Business Motivation
While businesses offer these incentives to encourage voting, they must navigate legal restrictions. It is technically illegal to offer freebies or discounts in exchange for voting. To comply with the law, businesses typically frame the offers as a "thank you" for having voted or as a reward for civic engagement, requiring the "I Voted" sticker as proof of the act rather than a transaction.
The motivation behind these offers is largely goodwill and marketing. By associating their brands with civic duty, companies generate positive public relations and attract customers who might not otherwise visit.
Conclusion
Election Day in Michigan offers a unique opportunity for voters to receive various freebies and discounts. From free doughnuts and coffee to discounted rides to the polls, these incentives are designed to make the voting experience more rewarding. The primary requirements for accessing these offers are an "I Voted" sticker, membership in a rewards program, or the download of a specific mobile app. As the landscape of election incentives evolves, the role of mobile technology and rideshare services continues to grow, providing modern solutions to the age-old challenge of getting voters to the polls.