Chicago Election Day 2016 Freebies And Deals Where To Get Discounts After Voting

During the 2016 presidential election, Chicago businesses joined establishments across the country in offering special deals and freebies to encourage civic participation. While federal law prohibits offering anything of value in connection with voting, many businesses found creative ways to reward voters while staying within legal boundaries. This article examines the Election Day promotions available in Chicago during the 2016 election, from food and drink discounts to retail specials and museum admissions.

Food and Drink Promotions in Chicago

Chicago restaurants and bars embraced the Election Day tradition of offering deals to voters, with several establishments creating voter-specific promotions. These offers ranged from complimentary food items to discounted beverages, providing an incentive for citizens to fulfill their civic duty while enjoying local hospitality.

Cody's Public House in Lakeview

Cody's Public House in Lakeview offered a unique combination of political engagement and entertainment to voters. Patrons who visited the establishment after casting their vote received a free custom Cody's sticker when they presented their "I Voted" sticker. The bar also featured Election Day drink specials, including $3 Hamms, $3 PBR, $3 Old Style tall boys, and $5 Malort. These affordable beverage options created a welcoming atmosphere for voters looking to discuss election results or simply unwind after participating in the democratic process.

The Getaway in Lincoln Square

The Getaway, located in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, hosted a special election-eve event on Monday, November 7, 2016. The bar welcomed TV Producer Derek Simonds Haas for a special edition of "Welcome to the Show," a Chicago-centric live talk and variety show following a late-night format similar to Conan O'Brien. The event began with music from Ziggy Williamson at 7:30 p.m., followed by the main show at 8 p.m. Guests enjoyed performances and conversations with Chicago creators, including insights from Derek Simonds Haas about covering past elections from a media standpoint. The evening also featured complimentary bites and wine samples, creating an engaging environment for political discussion and community connection.

National Chain Restaurants with Chicago Locations

Several national restaurant chains with Chicago locations participated in Election Day promotions, offering free or discounted items to voters:

Krispy Kreme participated in the Election Day tradition by offering one free doughnut of choice to any guest wearing a sticker or wristband indicating that they voted on November 8, 2016. This promotion was available at participating Krispy Kreme shops across the country, including those in the Chicago area. No coupon was necessary, making the offer accessible to all voters who simply showed proof of their participation in the electoral process.

Marco's Pizza rewarded voters with a voucher for a free medium one-topping pizza. The offer was valid at all participating Marco's Pizza locations across the country, including Chicago-area stores. Voters could redeem their voucher after presenting proof that they had cast their ballot.

Chuck E. Cheese offered a free personal size pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase when customers mentioned coupon code #5253. This promotion was available at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations in the Chicago area, providing families with an incentive to vote and then enjoy a meal together.

Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken gave away free regular-size sides to anyone with a voting sticker or wristband. The company acknowledged the legal restrictions on rewarding votes, stating, "Since federal law prohibits rewarding people for their votes, we can't tell you to show off your brand new 'I voted' sticker at the door." Despite this legal caution, the chain still provided the complimentary sides to voters at its Chicago locations.

Retail Discounts and Special Offers

Beyond restaurants, several retail establishments in Chicago offered Election Day promotions in 2016, providing shoppers with opportunities to save while participating in the democratic process.

Macy's

Macy's participated in the Election Day spirit by offering an additional 20% off purchases during its Election Day Sale. Shoppers could use the coupon code "VOTE" to receive this discount at Macy's locations throughout the Chicago area. The promotion included options for in-store pickup to avoid the $9.95 shipping fee, and orders of $50 or more qualified for free shipping. The deal concluded on November 9, 2016, giving customers a brief window to take advantage of the savings after voting.

Cultural Institutions and Community Spaces

Chicago's cultural institutions also joined in the Election Day promotions, offering free admission and special programming to encourage civic engagement.

The Field Museum

The Field Museum initially planned to offer free admission to voters who showed their "I Voted" stickers. However, due to legal concerns about offering anything of value in connection with voting, the museum adjusted its promotion. The Field Museum changed its offer to provide free admission to anyone in Illinois, regardless of whether they had voted. Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, explained the legal issue: "Under the law, you can't offer anything of value in connection with registering to vote or voting." This adjustment allowed the museum to encourage public engagement while complying with election laws.

Legal Considerations and Business Responses

The 2016 Election Day promotions occurred against a backdrop of legal restrictions on offering incentives for voting. Federal law prohibits providing anything of value in connection with registering to vote or casting a ballot, which created challenges for businesses wanting to reward voters.

Several businesses, including The Field Museum and Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken, modified their promotions to comply with these legal requirements. The Field Museum expanded its offer to all Illinois residents rather than just voters, while Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken avoided explicitly directing customers to show their voting stickers despite offering free sides to those who had voted.

Despite these legal constraints, many Chicago businesses found ways to express support for voting while staying within legal boundaries. Some offers, like Cody's Public House's free stickers, provided value that was indirectly connected to voting rather than directly conditioned upon it.

Transportation and Accessibility

While the source material doesn't provide specific information about transportation promotions in Chicago during the 2016 election, ride-sharing services and other transportation providers often offer special deals on Election Day to help voters reach polling places. These services typically focus on removing transportation barriers to voting rather than offering incentives after voting has occurred.

Conclusion

The 2016 Election Day in Chicago saw a variety of businesses offering promotions and freebies to encourage civic participation. From restaurants and bars to retail stores and cultural institutions, Chicago's business community demonstrated support for the democratic process through these special offers. While legal restrictions required some businesses to adjust their promotions, creative solutions allowed them to reward voters while staying within legal boundaries. These Election Day deals provided an additional incentive for Chicago residents to participate in the electoral process while enjoying local products and services.

Sources

1. Chicago Food Magazine - Election Day Deals
2. North Jersey - Election Day Deals
3. ABC Chicago - Election Day Deals
4. TCPalm - Election Day Deals
5. Florida Today - Beer Specials
6. Fox 35 Orlando - Election Day Freebies