Election Day Freebies And Promotional Offers In 2018

In the United States, Election Day often includes more than just casting a ballot. Many businesses across the country participate in civic engagement by offering discounts, free rides, and complimentary items to voters. The 2018 midterm elections were no exception, particularly in areas such as Cleveland, Nashville, Alexandria, and the D.C. region, where a variety of companies and organizations provided Election Day perks. These offerings range from ride-share discounts to free food and drink specials, targeting those who take the time to exercise their democratic duties. This article explores verified promotional offers from the 2018 Election Day, with a focus on services, restaurants, and businesses that provided no-cost product trials and promotional opportunities to eligible voters.

The primary eligibility criterion for these promotions was typically the presentation of an "I Voted" sticker or participation confirmation—sometimes through a digital verification mechanism such as a code. Most promotions were limited to the November 6, 2018, date or in conjunction with travel to and from polling stations. Additionally, some deals allowed for social media participation, such as posting a photo with the "I Voted" sticker and tagging a company’s account. The details of these offers were primarily shared through local news outlets, company websites, and promotional blogs that documented the various perks available.

By examining the data provided in verified sources such as news articles, promotional details from ride-share apps and dining establishments can be identified. The following sections outline the free rides, discounts, and complimentary items made available by the companies and organizations that participated in 2018 mid-term voter incentives.

Transportation and Ride-Sharing Freebies

One of the most widely available voter perks in 2018 was complimentary or discounted transportation to polling centers. Several ride-sharing services and bike-sharing companies offered special promotions to facilitate voter turnout and ease travel on a busy Election Day.

Uber was among the companies offering discounted rides. According to verified reports, voters in Cleveland could use the code “VOTE2018” to receive $10 off a single ride on Election Day (Source [1]). This was not exclusive to Cleveland, as similar offers were documented in other regions. A second promotional code, “LIME2VOTE18,” allowed users of the ride-service provider Lime to receive two free rides, each up to 30 minutes in duration, as long as the destinations were within a polling location area (Source [2]).

Lyft also participated, offering a 50 percent discount on rides with a promo code available through the app on Election Day (Source [2]). This promotional code was confirmed in reports and provided explicitly on the company’s platform, ensuring that voters could benefit from reduced transportation costs.

Bike-sharing service Motivate, which operates the Capital Bikeshare network in the D.C. area, offered free day passes for Election Day (Source [5]). The code “BIKETOVOTE” enabled users to access bikes at any of the system’s 500 stations across the D.C. region. Similarly, Lime, the electric scooter company, extended its complimentary 30-minute ride offer to D.C. voters, allowing for easy and eco-friendly travel to and from polling locations (Source [5]).

In addition to Uber and Lyft, rental car service Zipcar provided a $20 discount on future rides for patrons who used Election Day services (Source [4]). This promotion rewarded immediate usage while also incentivizing future engagement with the brand.

Food and Beverage Offers for Voters

A number of restaurants and cafes offered promotional deals, free food items, and special menu features to voters on Election Day. These promotions often centered around the presentation of a voter’s “I Voted” sticker as proof of civic participation.

In Cleveland, shake Shack provided a free order of French fries to anyone who showed an “I Voted” sticker or used the “IVoted” code in the app (Source [4]). Similarly, Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered a free cookie with any purchase, and this special was available for two days—Election Day and the following day (Source [1]).

In Alexandria, various eateries also participated in 2018 voter promotions. South Block Juice Co. offered 10 percent off beverages for those who voted and wore their “I Voted” sticker proudly (Source [3]). Another offering included Upper West Side Cafe, which provided a free draft beer to voters who presented their sticker (Source [5]).

Cupcake Collection in Nashville gave away free cupcakes to the first 100 visitors on Election Day, while Farm Burger offered a free side of fries after 12:30 p.m. on November 6 to incentivize meal orders (Source [2]).

Bars and restaurants with Election Day themes also enhanced the experience. Shaw’s Tavern in the D.C. area offered half-priced pizza and burgers, along with $7 themed cocktails including red, blue, and purple hues that reflected the electoral color palette (Source [5]). The Pennsylvania 6 bar extended its happy hour to include $5 drafts, and Red Derby in Columbia Heights displayed election results and offered beer and champagne specials (Source [5]).

Sweet Cece’s Belle Meade in Nashville was one of many places to provide a buy-one-get-one-free promotion. Specifically, customers with an “I Voted” sticker could enjoy frozen yogurt at half price (Source [2]). This type of promotion enabled voters to receive a small yet valuable reward in the form of food and dining discounts.

Retail and Community Promotions

Beyond the immediate promotions for food and travel, some retail locations and community spaces in 2018 offered voter incentives. These offerings ranged from beverage specials to coworking space privileges and general purchase discounts.

Henley’s house punch was offered free of charge to anyone who visited the bar (Source [2]). Similarly, Junction Bakery & Bistro in Del Ray provided free 12-ounce drip coffee to those who showed their “I Voted” sticker (Source [3]).

The Old Town Boutique District in Alexandria offered a 6 percent discount on purchases at participating stores on Election Day (Source [3]). This provided an added financial incentive for consumers who also wanted to support local businesses during the event.

In Alexandria, ALX Community provided free day passes to its coworking and community meeting space for voters (Source [3]). The requirement for use within one week following the Election Day ensured a continued engagement with the company’s services. Ascend Cycle also participated in voter perks by offering a free class to anyone who either brought an “I Voted” sticker or engaged in social media activity including the use of #howiascend and tagging @ascendcycle (Source [3]).

The Massage Spot, The Well, in Columbia Heights, offered an extra 15 minutes of free service if a voter tagged them in a social media post that displayed the “I Voted” sticker (Source [5]). This promotion capitalized on the voter engagement theme while also attracting attention through social media.

Participation Conditions and Time Restrictions

Most of the promotions discussed above required specific actions by the participants and were available only within a certain time window. For example, the code-based ride deals from Uber and Lyft were valid only for Election Day, and the free day passes for bike rentals had limited 24-hour usage. Some promotions, like the Potbelly cookie offer in Cleveland, were available for two days—covering the November 6 and 7 dates (Source [1]).

The majority of food and beverage promotions were time-sensitive, often expiring after a specific period. For example, Upper West Side Cafe’s offer for a free draft beer was available only between 11 a.m. and voting time. Other promotions, like the $7 presidential cocktail from Fish Market, were made available during specific hours as part of a curated Election Day menu (Source [3]).

Many of these offers were also limited in quantity. Cupcake Collection, for instance, gave out free cupcakes to only the first 100 visitors (Source [2]). Such limitations helped prevent overuse and ensured that promotions remained exclusive.

Social Media and Digital Participation

In addition to in-person promotions, some businesses encouraged voters to participate via social media. As documented, Ascend Cycle required either a visit with the actual sticker or a social media post that included the hashtag #howiascend and mentioned the company on Facebook or Instagram (Source [3]). Likewise, The Well in Columbia Heights provided an incentive to voters who tagged them in an “I Voted” social media post, extending their massage time for free (Source [5]).

Social media-based promotions were particularly effective in ensuring that marketing efforts reached a broader audience on Election Day 2018. By incentivizing voters to share their participation on public platforms, businesses could simultaneously reward individuals and promote their brand to a wider network.

Election Day Perks in Different Cities

The 2018 Election Day promotions varied across cities but generally mirrored the same themes—free transportation, dining discounts, and social recognition. In Cleveland, the emphasis was on ride share discounts and fast food rewards (Source [1]). Nashville saw promotions centered around bakeries and restaurants (Source [2]).

D.C. and Alexandria focused on a mix of national and local brands offering specific Election Day themes. For example, Cava closed its restaurants temporarily on Election Day to allow employees to vote (Source [5]). The Pennsylvania 6 bar extended its happy hour, and Shaw’s Tavern provided themed food and drink options that reflected the election experience.

National chains like Starbucks, while not mentioned in the provided data, were frequently linked with similar voter perks in previous elections. The 2018 promotions, as reported, included notable variations in approach from smaller regional businesses to national brands participating in civic engagement.

Summary of Participating Brands in the 2018 Mid-Term Elections

Below is a table listing the brands and services mentioned in the source materials that offered promotional deals, free items, or transportation incentives during the 2018 mid-term elections:

Conclusion

The 2018 mid-term elections featured a wide range of promotional offers and voter perks, particularly in regions such as Cleveland, D.C., Nashville, and Alexandria. Transportation companies, food and beverage establishments, and local businesses showed their support for increased voter turnout by offering free rides, food discounts, and event-based incentives. These promotions were typically time-limited and required an “I Voted” sticker or digital verification to confirm participation.

For U.S. consumers, deal seekers, and civic participants, the 2018 Election Day was a valuable opportunity for those who wish to receive no-cost or discounted benefits while fulfilling a civic duty. While many of the promotions were limited to a single day or required specific conditions, the variety of options allowed for a range of engagement methods, including in-person participation, ride discounts, and social media interactions.

Election Day promotions have continued to evolve in the years following 2018, but the data clearly reflected a strong interest among brands and organizations to incentivize voter participation. As such, these efforts not only supported a democratic process but also created unique engagement opportunities during a historically important time.

Sources

1. Cleveland19 - Election Day Deals for Registered Voters
2. Nashville Scene - Free Voters' Sticker Deals
3. Alexandria Living Magazine - Voter Discounts and Freebies
4. News5 Cleveland - Uber and Lyft Election Day Freebies
5. NBC Washington - Voter Deals in D.C.