Election Day 2024: Free Food, Discounts, and Transportation Deals for Voters

As the United States prepares for the presidential election on November 5, 2024, a variety of national chains and local businesses are encouraging civic participation by offering free products, discounts, and transportation assistance to voters. These promotions typically require customers to present a valid "I Voted" sticker received at a polling place. The offers range from free doughnuts and coffee to discounted rideshare trips and free scooter rides. The following is a comprehensive summary of available deals based on current announcements.

Food and Beverage Offers

Several major food chains and local restaurants are providing free items or discounts to voters on Election Day.

Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme is offering a free Original Glazed doughnut at participating locations on November 5, 2024. The offer is valid while supplies last. Participating shops will also distribute "I Voted" stickers to customers, including early voters. Customers are advised to find their nearest location and call ahead to confirm participation.

Yogurtland Participating Yogurtland locations are offering a 15 percent discount to in-store customers who present an "I Voted" sticker on November 5. With over 200 locations nationwide, customers are encouraged to verify the promotion with their local shop.

IKEA IKEA is offering free frozen yogurt to customers on Election Day.

Red Lobster Red Lobster is promoting a deal on dishes for Election Day, accessible by signing up for My Red Lobster Rewards.

Shake Shack Shake Shack locations nationally are offering free French fries with any purchase to customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker. This initiative is part of the company's "Stand for Something Good" slogan to encourage voting.

Bakery Lorraine The bakery mini-chain, with locations in Austin and San Antonio, is giving out free small house coffees to voters with stickers through Election Day.

Baldinucci Pizza Romana This pizzeria is offering a free slice of New York-style cheese pizza or six garlic knots to voters with proof of voting through Election Day.

Banger’s The Austin beer garden is offering half-off any appetizer on Election Day with sticker proof.

Barrett’s Coffee This coffee shop is offering a free drip coffee or cold brew with a voting sticker.

Double Trouble Barrett’s sibling cafe is also offering a free drip coffee or cold brew with a voting sticker.

Dog Day Coffee This coffee shop is offering 25 percent off orders to people with "I Voted" stickers.

Easy Tiger Both locations of this bakery mini-chain are offering a free 16-ounce draft of St Elmo Brewing Co.’s Carl Kölsch-style beer to voters with stickers only on Election Day.

Ess-A-Bagel This New York establishment is offering a free bagel; spreads cost extra.

Two Boots Two Boots is offering a free slice of pizza with an "I Voted" sticker at Manhattan locations only.

Barista Parlor Barista Parlor is offering a free drip coffee at any location (airport excluded) on Election Day with an "I Voted" sticker.

Wylie & Rum Customers with an "I Voted" sticker at Wylie & Rum receive a free rum punch.

Six Feet Under Located on Cheshire Bridge, this restaurant offers 20 percent off the total bill with a voting sticker.

Your 3rd Spot This venue offers half-priced entry throughout the day with an "I Voted" sticker.

William Greenberg This establishment offers a free cookie with an "I Voted" sticker from October 26 through November 5.

Edible Arrangements Edible Arrangements offers a free treat with an "I Voted" sticker from October 26 through November 5.

Violife Pop-Up Bagel Trucks Violife is hosting free pop-up breakfast trucks with Utopia Bagels near polling stations from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Tribeca, Brooklyn Heights, Columbus Circle, and other locations.

Transportation Assistance

To help voters get to the polls, several transportation companies are offering discounted or free rides.

Lyft Lyft is offering 50 percent off rides from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Election Day using the code VOTE24. This offer applies to rideshare, bike, or scooter rides to the polls nationwide, up to $10. In previous election years, Lyft estimated that 15 million eligible voters did not go to the polls largely due to lack of transportation.

Uber Uber is offering 50 percent off rides to polling locations, up to $10 total. Users can access this offer by tapping the "Go vote" sticker in the app on Election Day.

Lime Lime is offering two free 30-minute scooter rides to use for traveling to and from the polls on Election Day. Users must use the code VOTE2024.

WeGo Public Transit WeGo buses will be completely free on Election Day so that everyone can make it to the polls.

Retail and Service Offers

Beyond food and transportation, various retailers and service providers are offering incentives for voters.

SPIN SPIN is offering a free hour of ping pong for those with an "I Voted" sticker on November 5 at 48 E 23rd St.

Cycle Bar NYC Cycle Bar NYC is offering a free workout class. Participants must DM a picture of themselves with their "I Voted" sticker to locations in NoHo, UES, WBRG, NoMad, and Flatiron.

Fire Studio Fire Studio is offering a free workout class. Participants must DM a picture of their "I Voted" sticker to 280 W 115th St.

Stuart Cinema Stuart Cinema is offering a free movie ticket with a voting sticker from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while supplies last at 79 West St, Brooklyn.

Pure Barre Pure Barre is offering a free class. Participants must message a picture of their "I Voted" sticker.

Vinyl Nights Vinyl Nights is hosting a "Dancing for Democracy" party from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Somethin’ Else Bar inside City Point, Downtown Brooklyn.

CBD American Shaman Customers can show proof of voting (sticker or post) to receive 20 percent off their entire purchase in-store. This offer is valid until November 3.

Important Considerations for Consumers

While these offers are widely publicized, consumers should take specific steps to ensure they can redeem them successfully.

Verification of Participation Many offers are valid at "participating locations" only. Because participation can vary by franchise ownership and region, customers are strongly advised to call their local store ahead of time to confirm that the promotion is being honored.

Supply Limitations Offers such as free doughnuts, coffee, or movie tickets are frequently available "while supplies last." Arriving early in the day increases the likelihood of receiving the free item.

Proof of Voting The vast majority of these deals require a physical "I Voted" sticker obtained at a polling place. Some New York-based businesses mentioned in the source data allow customers to DM a photo of their sticker for digital verification. However, most national chains require the physical sticker to be presented in-store.

Geographic Restrictions While national chains like Krispy Kreme, Lyft, and Uber offer deals nationwide, many offers are specific to local businesses in cities such as New York City, Nashville, St. Louis, and Austin. Consumers outside these metropolitan areas may find fewer local options, though national transportation discounts remain available.

Timing Most offers are valid only on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Some New York offers, such as those from William Greenberg and Edible Arrangements, extend through early voting periods ending November 5.

Conclusion

Election Day 2024 sees a return of the tradition where businesses offer freebies and discounts to encourage voter turnout. The available incentives cover a broad spectrum of needs, from free transportation to the polls via Lyft, Uber, and Lime, to free food and beverages from major chains like Krispy Kreme and Shake Shack, as well as local eateries. To maximize these opportunities, consumers should verify local participation, secure their "I Voted" sticker, and check supply availability. These promotions serve as a tangible reward for exercising civic duty.