The 2018 midterm elections prompted various brands and local establishments in Los Angeles to offer incentives for voters. These promotions ranged from free food and beverages to discounted transportation services, generally requiring proof of voting, such as an "I Voted" sticker or a promo code. The offers detailed below were valid on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, unless otherwise specified.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops offered free items or discounts to customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker. These deals were largely valid for in-store purchases on Election Day.
- Baked by Melissa: Customers visiting a store location received a free cupcake with an "I Voted" sticker. An additional 10 percent discount was available for online orders using the promo code IVOTED2018.
- Blaze Pizza: The chain offered free delivery on Election Day.
- California Tortilla: Customers received a free order of chips and queso with any purchase by saying "I voted."
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop: Showing an "I Voted" sticker provided a $1 discount on any sub.
- Chameleon Cold-Brew: A voucher for a free 10-ounce Chameleon Cold-Brew was available for customers posting a selfie with an "I Voted" sticker on Instagram.
- Corner Bakery Cafe: A free brewed or cold brewed coffee (any size) was offered with a purchase upon showing an "I Voted" sticker.
- CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me): Locations in North Hollywood and Northridge offered 20 percent off the entire order for customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker.
- Jimboy's Tacos: The chain offered a discount to celebrate Election Day and National Nacho Day.
- Klatch Coffee: Guests with an "I Voted" sticker received a 6-ounce traditional cappuccino for $2.18 at locations in Redondo Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, and San Dimas.
- Krispy Kreme: A free doughnut was available for customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker.
- Lemonade: A free cold-pressed lemonade was offered with purchase when displaying an "I Voted" sticker.
- Potbelly: A free cookie was available with an entree purchase on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Roy’s: All locations offered a three-ounce pour of Dom Perignon for $1 with the purchase of an entrée.
- Shake Shack: Customers received free fries with any purchase by showing an "I Voted" sticker or using the code "ivoted" on the app.
- The Pie Hole: The bakery tweeted that showing an "I Voted" sticker would get customers one free "pie hole."
- The Village Bakery & Cafe: Located in Atwater Village, this bakery offered a free "I Voted" cookie with a sticker.
Bar and Alcohol Specials
Several bars in the Los Angeles area offered discounted alcoholic beverages for voters.
- 1933 Group Bars: Bars owned by the 1933 Group in Los Angeles offered $1 Moscow Mules or Old Fashioneds from 5 to 7 p.m. for anyone with an "I Voted" sticker.
- Bluebird Brasserie: Located in Sherman Oaks, this bar offered one cent beers.
- Beelman's: This bar offered one cent beers.
- Miracle Mile: This location offered one cent beers.
- Mohawk Bend: Located in Echo Park, this bar offered one cent beers.
- Spring St. Bar: Located in DTLA, this bar offered one cent beers.
- Tony's Darts Away: Located in Burbank, this bar offered one cent beers.
Transportation Offers
Various transportation services provided free or discounted rides to polling places to facilitate voter access.
- Access Services: Rides were free on Election Day.
- Baldwin Park Transit: Rides were free on Election Day.
- COMET: The bus service in Columbia, South Carolina, offered free rides.
- Divvy: Users could use the code VOTE18 for a free day pass.
- Greensboro Transit Authority: The system in North Carolina offered free fares system-wide.
- Houston Metro: Rides were free.
- Lime: Free rides on bikes and scooters were available for up to 30 minutes using the promo code LIME2VOTE18.
- Long Beach Transit: Rides were free on Election Day.
- Los Angeles Metro: Metro trains, buses, and bike shares were free. Additionally, a promo code 1162018 provided a free 30-minute Metro Bike Share ride.
- Metro Bike Share: A free 30-minute ride was available using promo code 1162018.
- Motivate: A free day pass was available with the code BIKETOVOTE.
- Pasadena Transit: Rides were free on Election Day.
- Santa Clarita Transit: Rides were free on Election Day.
- Uber: The service offered $10 off a single ride to the polls with promo code VOTE2018. Uber also offered free rides to voters in certain underserved communities.
- Zipcar: The service offered $20 toward a future trip with an Election Day rental.
- BIKETOWN: Riders in Portland could use code BIKE2VOTE to get 30 minutes of free ride time.
Other Offers
- Bobo’s: Customers could get a coupon for a free vegan, gluten-free oat bar by sharing that they voted on social media. To receive the coupon, users had to tag @eatbobos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and use #GetOatTheVote. The coupon would be mailed.
Conclusion
The 2018 Election Day in Los Angeles featured a variety of freebies and deals aimed at rewarding voters. Offers included free food items from bakeries and restaurants, discounted beverages at bars, and free or reduced-cost transportation to polling locations. Most promotions required customers to present an "I Voted" sticker or use specific promo codes. These deals were generally limited to Election Day, November 6, 2018.