Election Day 2016 saw numerous businesses across the United States offering promotional deals and free items to individuals who participated in the voting process. These offers were designed to reward civic engagement and often required proof of voting, most commonly in the form of an "I Voted" sticker. The promotions spanned various categories, including food and beverage, fitness, and transportation services. A significant number of these offers were concentrated in the food industry, with major pizza chains, cookie franchises, and coffee shops participating. The availability of these deals varied by location, with some being nationwide and others limited to specific regions or participating outlets. Additionally, some promotions required specific actions, such as downloading a mobile app or using a particular coupon code.
Food and Beverage Promotions
The most prevalent category of Election Day freebies in 2016 was food and beverage. Several major restaurant chains offered incentives ranging from free doughnuts and cookies to discounted pizza and meals.
Pizza and Casual Dining
Marco's Pizza was a prominent participant, offering a voucher for a free medium one-topping pizza on Election Day. To receive the voucher, customers were directed to visit the Marco's Pizza website or its Facebook page on November 8. However, reports indicated that the company's website experienced technical difficulties due to high traffic, which prevented some users from immediately redeeming the offer. The promotion did not require a purchase. In addition to the free pizza voucher, Marco's Pizza also ran a social media contest where fans could win four years' worth of free pizza by liking their Facebook page.
Chuck E. Cheese’s offered a free personal pepperoni pizza. This offer was contingent upon the purchase of any other pizza. Customers could redeem the deal by stating they had voted or by using a specific coupon code, #5253. The chain also provided a coupon for 30 percent off an entire order after 2 p.m. on Election Day.
Other pizza and casual dining deals included: - Godfather’s Pizza: Offered free monkey bread with a pizza purchase for customers who informed staff they had voted. - Schlotzsky’s Deli: Provided a buy-one-get-one-free deal on mac-and-cheese at participating locations, requiring coupon code 4207. - Bahama Breeze: Offered $10 off a $30 order for customers presenting a voting sticker. - BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery: Provided a $5 beer. - California Tortilla: Gave free chips and queso to customers who used specific phrases like “Make queso great again” or “I’m with queso” when ordering. - Chili’s: Featured a $5 Presidente Margarita and a commemorative shaker. - Hard Rock Cafe: Provided a free dessert at participating locations for voters showing their sticker.
Bakeries and Snacks
Great American Cookies was another nationwide participant, offering one free regular cookie to customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker. The company issued a statement emphasizing their desire to end the contentious election season on a positive note with a free treat. Participating locations included malls such as Florence Mall, Liberty Center, Kenwood Towne Centre, and Northgate Mall, as well as a location at Kentucky Oaks Mall in Paducah.
Krispy Kreme offered a free doughnut at participating locations to anyone showing an "I Voted" sticker. This was available at various locations, including the Tri-State area in Anderson Township, Ohio.
Coffee and Beverages
7-Eleven offered a free coffee of any size at participating locations. This promotion required customers to use the 7-Eleven mobile app. The offer was limited to one coffee per customer.
Starbucks provided a free "Indivisible" bracelet to customers who wore an "I Voted" sticker, while supplies lasted.
Firehouse Subs offered a free medium drink with an "I Voted" sticker, with no purchase necessary.
Quick Service and Other Food
Noodles & Company offered a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for customers who voted for their favorite mac and cheese.
Retail and Fitness Offers
Beyond food, several other businesses offered promotions to voters.
Macy's ran an Election Day Sale, providing an extra 20 percent off via coupon code "VOTE." Customers could choose in-store pickup to avoid a $9.95 shipping fee, though orders of $50 or more qualified for free shipping. The sale excluded certain items and ended on November 9.
Gold's Gym offered voters a free day to work out. To redeem this, individuals needed to bring their "I Voted" sticker or a voter registration card.
Transportation and Travel
Uber offered a $20 discount on the first ride for new users who used the code "VOTETODAY" on Election Day.
Zipcar offered free access to vehicles for several hours on Election Day evening, specifically from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., for users with a reservation.
Location-Specific and Special Event Offers
Some promotions were limited to specific geographic areas or events.
BurgerFi offered a discount on the "Conflicted Burger," lowering its price to $5, at its two Michigan locations in Ann Arbor and Northville. The deal required showing an "I Voted" sticker.
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, California, offered a complimentary glass of wine or beer to guests who showed proof of voting. This was available at their FIG Restaurant and Lobby Lounge on election night.
Ben & Jerry’s provided free scoops of ice cream at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, from 8 p.m. to midnight on November 8. This was part of the company's "Democracy is in Your Hands" campaign.
Conclusion
The 2016 Election Day promotions represented a widespread marketing trend where businesses used the national event to engage customers and reward civic participation. The offers were diverse, ranging from no-cost food items like cookies and doughnuts to discounts on retail purchases and services. While many deals were available nationwide, some were restricted to specific locations or required particular actions, such as app downloads or coupon code usage. The reliance on "I Voted" stickers as proof of participation was a common theme, although some businesses accepted voter registration cards or allowed participation through social media engagement. The high traffic to some promotional websites, such as Marco's Pizza, highlighted the popularity of these limited-time offers.