As the 2018 midterm elections approached, various brands, restaurants, and service providers introduced promotional offers designed to encourage voter participation. These initiatives, often centered around the "I Voted" sticker, provided free products, discounts, and transportation incentives to individuals who engaged in the civic duty of voting on November 6, 2018. The promotions spanned multiple categories, including food and beverage, transportation, and retail, with specific offers varying by location and participating vendor. The primary mechanism for claiming these benefits generally involved presenting an "I Voted" sticker at the point of sale or using specific promo codes for digital services.
Transportation and Mobility Incentives
Several transportation companies offered discounted or free rides to polling locations to assist voters with logistics on Election Day. These offers were designed to remove barriers to getting to the polls, such as lack of reliable transportation or the cost of travel.
Uber provided a significant discount for riders. Users could receive $10 off a single ride to their polling location by utilizing the specific booking code ‘VOTE2018’. This offer was applicable to standard Uber rides requested on Election Day.
Lyft also participated in election-day incentives, offering 50 percent off rides to the polls. While the specific promo code was not detailed in all sources, the discount was widely reported as available to voters using the app on November 6.
Lime, an electric scooter and bike rental service, offered two distinct incentives. In some markets, the company provided two free rides up to 30 minutes each using the code LIME2VOTE18. In other areas, specifically noted in Washington D.C., Lime offered free 30-minute trips. Additionally, Lime offered 30-minute rentals of its scooters and bikes on Election Day, generally free of charge for the initial period.
Motivate, the operator of the Capital Bikeshare network, offered free rides on Election Day. Users in the D.C. area could utilize the code “BIKETOVOTE” to unlock a free day pass for the system’s network of bikes.
Zipcar, a car-sharing service, offered a $20 discount on a future ride for members who utilized Zipcar services on Election Day.
Food and Beverage Promotions
Restaurants and food establishments constituted the largest category of Election Day freebies, offering everything from free cookies and fries to discounted meals and specialty cocktails.
National and Regional Chains
Shake Shack offered free French fries to customers who presented an "I Voted" sticker at participating locations. Alternatively, customers could redeem the offer by using the code "IVoted" within the Shake Shack mobile app during checkout.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered a free cookie with any purchase. This promotion was valid on both Election Day and the following day (Wednesday). The requirement for this offer was the purchase of an entree.
Farm Burger offered a free side of fries after 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, for customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker.
Sweet Cece’s in Belle Meade offered a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on frozen yogurt for voters showing their sticker.
Cupcake Collection offered free cupcakes to the first 100 people who visited their location on Election Day.
Proper Bagel offered a 10 percent discount on any food items purchased on Election Day.
South Block Juice Co. offered voters a 10 percent discount at all locations on November 6.
Cava was noted as being closed on Election Day to allow employees time to vote, though no specific customer offer was detailed other than the closure.
Local and Independent Restaurants
Various local restaurants in specific regions offered unique Election Day promotions.
In Cleveland, Ohio, the Terrestrial Brewing Company participated in election-day festivities, though specific offer details were not fully elaborated in the source data.
In Alexandria, Virginia, several restaurants offered discounts: - Mia's Italian and Vola's Dockside Grill provided a 6 percent discount on the total check. - The Fish Market served $7 cocktails inspired by presidents, specifically the Ulysses S. Grant Manhattan and the Grover Cleveland Martini, alongside food specials. - Junction Bakery & Bistro offered a free 12-ounce drip coffee to anyone wearing an "I Voted" sticker. - Matchbox offered happy hour pricing from opening until 9 p.m. at its Virginia locations.
In Nashville, Tennessee, the following offers were available: - Henley provided a free complimentary pour of Henley’s seasonal house punch. - Louie’s Wine Dive offered happy hour specials all night for voters with stickers. - Southern Grist Brewery offered 50 percent off the first beer. - Jefferson Street Cafe hosted a free Election Day party from 3-7 p.m. featuring food, drinks, music, and poetry.
In Washington D.C. and surrounding areas, the following food and drink specials were noted: - Pennsylvania 6 offered extended happy hour beverage specials, including $5 drafts, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Red Derby offered shot and champagne specials "as needed" while showing election results. - Shaw's Tavern offered half-priced pizza and burgers, plus $7 red, blue, and purple cocktails. - Teddy & The Bully Bar offered $3 hot dogs and $1.25 oysters before 7 p.m., plus $5 American Mules and $7 wines in the evening. - The Big Board offered $2 tacos, $5 Jameson, and $14 Miller Lite pitchers. - Upper West Side Cafe offered a free draft beer with the presentation of an "I Voted" sticker.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food and transportation, a limited number of retail and service businesses offered incentives for voters.
The Old Town Boutique District in Alexandria offered a 6 percent discount on purchases at participating stores on Election Day.
Ascend Cycle, a fitness studio, offered a free class to anyone who brought an "I Voted" sticker or posted a photo of it on social media with the hashtag #howiascend and tagged the studio.
The Well, a massage spot in Columbia Heights, offered an extra 15 minutes on a massage for free if customers tagged the business in their "I Voted" social media post.
ALX Community provided voters with a free day pass to use their coworking and community meeting space.
Contests and Sweepstakes
Contiki, a travel company, offered a sweepstakes entry for a chance to win an international excursion. To enter, voters were required to post a picture of their "I Voted" sticker or mail-in ballot on Instagram using the hashtag #votewithnoregrets.
Conclusion
The 2018 Election Day saw a diverse array of businesses participating in promotional offers to support voter turnout. These incentives ranged from practical transportation discounts provided by companies like Uber, Lyft, and Lime to culinary rewards from chains such as Shake Shack and Potbelly, and various discounts from local retailers and service providers. While these offers were specific to the 2018 election cycle and generally required the presentation of an "I Voted" sticker or the use of a specific promo code, they represented a broader trend of corporate engagement in civic participation.