Election Day in the United States has evolved into a notable day for consumer promotions, with numerous businesses offering freebies, discounts, and special deals to encourage civic participation. These offers typically span a wide range of categories, including food and beverage, fitness, and transportation. Based on the provided source materials, which primarily focus on the 2020 election cycle, the following details outline the types of promotions available, the specific brands involved, and the general eligibility requirements for consumers.
Overview of Election Day Promotions
Businesses frequently utilize Election Day as a marketing opportunity to attract customers and generate positive publicity. Promotions often require customers to demonstrate that they have participated in the voting process, though the methods of verification vary by company. While some offers strictly require an "I Voted" sticker, others rely on verbal confirmation or app-based transactions.
The source materials indicate that these promotions are not limited to Election Day alone; many extend into the surrounding days or weeks. Additionally, some offers are specifically targeted toward poll workers or are available to all customers regardless of voting status. It is noted that while these giveaways are popular, there have been legal questions raised regarding the distribution of rewards in exchange for voting, though enforcement appears to be rare.
Food and Beverage Freebies
The majority of Election Day freebies center on food and beverages, with major national chains participating heavily.
Doughnuts and Breakfast Items
Krispy Kreme is a prominent participant in Election Day promotions. According to multiple sources, the brand offers a free Original Glazed doughnut to customers on Election Day. This offer is typically available at participating locations while supplies last. In some instances, Krispy Kreme has also distributed commemorative "I Voted" stickers alongside the free doughnut. Notably, sources from the 2020 election indicate that the offer was available to all guests, regardless of whether they voted, though earlier reports suggested requirements for sticker verification.
Dunkin' (formerly Dunkin' Donuts) has also been associated with Election Day deals. One source mentions "Free Coffee Wednesday" for reward members following the election. However, specific details regarding Election Day 2016 offers for Dunkin' are not explicitly detailed in the provided materials.
Other breakfast-focused promotions have included McDonald's, which, during the 2020 election cycle, offered a free pastry with the purchase of a hot or iced coffee through their app. This promotion covered items such as apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and blueberry muffins.
Sandwiches and Lunch Options
National Sandwich Day frequently coincides with Election Day, leading to overlapping promotions. Subway offered discounts on subs during the 2020 election period. Jimmy John's provided a 50% discount on 8" or 16" sandwiches using a specific promo code. Wendy's offered a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any purchase through the app or in-store.
Other lunch-centric deals included Fazoli's, which offered $2 off signature bake menu items, and Johnny Rockets, which provided free shakes with an in-store purchase (excluding Craig’s Vegan Shakes). White Castle offered tiered discounts on orders placed through delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats.
Coffee and Beverages
Beyond doughnuts, coffee shops are frequent participants. Biggby Coffee offered buy-one-get-one free deals or $1 off drinks up to 24 ounces. Wawa introduced "Free Coffee Tuesdays" for Wawa Rewards members, extending through the end of December in 2020. Chili's offered the Presidente Margarita for $5.
Late Night and Dinner Promotions
For those tracking election results, Boston Market offered a free slider after 9 p.m. Pizza chains also participated; Papa John's offered free doughnut holes (branded as "papa bites") with the purchase of an online pizza order during the 2020 National Doughnut Day, which often aligns with election timing.
Retail and Service Sector Offers
While food dominates the landscape, other sectors have offered Election Day incentives.
Fitness and Wellness
Planet Fitness offered free workouts and massages on Election Day and through November 8 in 2020, aiming to help customers alleviate election-related stress.
Transportation and Ridesharing
Ridesharing companies have historically offered discounted rides to polling places to facilitate voting access. Uber offered up to 50% off rides (up to $7 per ride) to and from polling locations, requiring a specific promo code. Lyft provided similar discounts, specifically 50% off one ride to a polling place or ballot dropbox (up to $10). DoorDash and Grubhub also offered delivery fee waivers or discounts on orders with minimum purchase requirements using promo codes like "VOTE."
Entertainment
IKEA has been mentioned as offering free frozen yogurt at their cafeteria locations on Election Day. Dave & Buster's was noted as offering deals to help ease Election Day stress, though specific details were not fully elaborated in the provided text.
Eligibility and Verification Methods
The requirements to claim Election Day freebies vary significantly by brand. The primary methods of verification include:
- "I Voted" Sticker: Many brands, such as Yogurtland and Foot Locker, require customers to present a physical "I Voted" sticker to receive a discount or free item. Krispy Kreme has also used this method in the past.
- Verbal Confirmation: Some businesses, such as Chuck E. Cheese, simply ask customers to state that they voted to receive a reward.
- App Usage and Promo Codes: Digital offers often require the use of a specific promo code (e.g., "VOTE," "2020VOTE," "DPVOTE") within a brand's app or website at checkout.
- Rewards Membership: Offers like those from Wawa and Dunkin' are frequently restricted to members of their respective loyalty programs who are registered by a specific deadline.
Legal Considerations and Consumer Advice
Source materials highlight a legal nuance regarding these promotions. A law professor cited in the provided data notes that giving anything of value in exchange for turning out to vote is technically against the law in federal elections. Despite this, businesses continue to offer these deals, and penalties are rare. Brands often frame these offers as acts of civic pride rather than direct incentives.
Consumers are advised to call ahead to local participating locations to confirm that they are honoring the promotion, as participation can vary by franchise and region. Additionally, supplies of free items are often limited, making early visits beneficial.
Conclusion
Election Day freebies represent a significant promotional opportunity for businesses and a tangible benefit for voters and consumers. The landscape of offers is diverse, ranging from free doughnuts and coffee to discounted rides and fitness sessions. While the specific brands and deals may shift with each election cycle, the general trend of rewarding civic participation remains consistent. Consumers should verify eligibility requirements, such as the need for an "I Voted" sticker or app registration, and be aware that offers may extend beyond Election Day itself.