Election Day 2020 saw a wide array of restaurants, retailers, and service providers offering free products, discounted services, and special deals to individuals participating in the democratic process. These promotions were designed to reward voters, reduce the stress of the election, and facilitate travel to polling locations. While many offers were valid only on Election Day, November 3, 2020, others extended through the following week or were available exclusively to poll workers. The following guide details the specific offers available across major national brands and categories, based on reports from the time.
Food and Beverage Offers
Numerous fast-food chains and casual dining establishments offered free food items or significant discounts on Election Day. Many of these promotions required the use of a mobile app, a loyalty program membership, or a specific promo code for online orders.
Coffee and Breakfast
Several coffee and breakfast chains provided free beverages and pastries to voters. * Dunkin’ Donuts: Members of the DD Perks loyalty program received a free medium hot or iced coffee during "Free Coffee Wednesdays," starting on November 4, 2020. This promotion continued through December 23, 2020, at participating locations. * McDonald’s: The chain offered a free pastry with the purchase of a hot or iced coffee through the McDonald’s app. The promotion ran from Election Day through November 9, 2020. Eligible pastries included apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and blueberry muffins. The deal could be used once per day. * Wawa: Wawa Rewards members were eligible for "Free Coffee Tuesdays," which began on Election Day and continued through the end of December 2020. New members were required to register by 8 p.m. on Election Day to qualify. * Biggby Coffee: On Election Day, the chain offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal or a $1 discount on any drink up to 24 ounces.
Quick Service and Fast Food
Major burger and sandwich chains provided free entrees and side items, often requiring a minimum purchase or app usage. * Wendy’s: Customers could receive a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any purchase through November 8, 2020. This offer was valid for in-person orders and orders placed through the Wendy’s app. * Krispy Kreme: By showing an "I Voted" sticker at participating locations on Election Day, customers received a free Original Glazed doughnut. The promotion was valid while supplies lasted. Notably, some reports indicated the deal was available even to those who did not vote. * Boston Market: The chain gave away one free slider at all locations nationwide on Election Day from 9 p.m. until closing. No purchase was necessary for this offer. * White Castle: Customers received $4 off orders of $20 or more, or $5 off orders of $30 or more (specific to New Jersey and New York locations) through Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates on Election Day. * Burger King: Through Grubhub, customers could get $3 off orders of $18 or more on Election Day.
Sandwich Shops and Casual Dining
Sandwich chains and casual dining restaurants also participated with buy-one-get-one offers and discounted items. * Subway: Subway MyWay Rewards members could take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free offer on any footlong sub through the day following Election Day. * Jersey Mike’s Subs: Through Grubhub, the chain offered a free turkey sub and free delivery on orders of $10 or more on Election Day. * Jimmy John’s: The chain offered 50% off a second sandwich when purchasing an 8-inch or 16-inch sub through November 8, 2020. This was valid online or through the app. * Chili’s: Chili’s offered a Presidente Margarita for $5 on Election Day, along with a commemorative sticker while supplies lasted. * Pret-a-Manger: Through Grubhub, customers received $5 off orders of $15 or more on Election Day. * P.F. Chang’s: New customers using Grubhub received $10 off their first order on Election Day.
Food Brands and Delivery Services
Food brands and third-party delivery platforms offered coupons and waived fees to support voters. * CAULIPOWER: The frozen pizza brand requested that users DM a photo of their "I Voted" sticker to their Instagram account (@caulipower) to receive a free coupon. * BoBo’s: The oat snack brand offered to send 2,000 free bars to anyone who sent a photo of their "I Voted" sticker via a specific link. * DoorDash: The delivery app waived delivery fees on all orders with a $15 minimum using the promo code "VOTE" at checkout. DashPass subscribers received 10% off orders using the code "DPVOTE." * Grubhub: The platform facilitated various deals for specific restaurants, including the offers for Jersey Mike’s, Burger King, and White Castle mentioned above.
Health, Fitness, and Wellness Promotions
Beyond food, several health and fitness brands offered free services or discounts to help voters manage election-related stress. * Planet Fitness: The gym chain offered a free workout and massage to anyone on Election Day. This promotion was valid at all locations nationwide and extended through November 8, 2020. It was available to both members and non-members.
Transportation and Travel Discounts
Ridesharing companies provided discounted transportation to and from polling locations to ensure voters could access the ballot box. * Uber: Users could get up to 50% off rides (up to $7 per ride, $14 for a round trip) to and from polling locations. The discount required using the promo code "2020VOTE" when booking. * Lyft: Similar to Uber, Lyft offered discounted rides to polling stations, though specific discount caps were not detailed in all reports.
Poll Worker Exclusive Offers
Some businesses extended specific benefits exclusively to poll workers, who often spend long hours at polling locations. * CAVA: CAVA and Zoe’s Kitchen locations offered a free meal to badged poll workers on November 3, 2020.
General Availability and Requirements
It is important to note that many of these offers were contingent on specific actions by the consumer. * Proof of Voting: While Krispy Kreme explicitly requested an "I Voted" sticker, most food and beverage offers did not require proof of voting. The "I Voted" sticker was generally considered a symbolic token rather than a mandatory requirement for redemption. * Mobile Apps and Loyalty Programs: A significant number of offers, particularly from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Dunkin’, and Subway, required users to have the specific brand’s mobile app installed or to be a member of their loyalty program. * Third-Party Delivery: Many deals were tied to third-party delivery apps such as Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, requiring users to order through those platforms and apply specific promo codes. * Geographic Restrictions: Most food offers were available nationwide, with the notable exception of White Castle’s offer, which had specific dollar-off thresholds for New Jersey and New York.
Conclusion
The 2020 Election Day promotions represented a coordinated effort by the food and retail industry to engage consumers during a significant civic event. Offers ranged from complimentary breakfast pastries and entrees to discounted transportation and fitness services. The majority of these deals were time-sensitive, valid only on November 3, 2020, or through the immediate days following, with a few extending into December for loyalty program members. Successful redemption typically required awareness of specific promo codes, app usage, or membership in brand loyalty programs.