Election Day 2016 Freebies And Discounts In Raleigh Nc

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In 2016, Election Day brought not just the opportunity to vote but also various freebies and discounts for voters in Raleigh, North Carolina. Multiple businesses participated in Election Day promotions, offering products and services at no cost or reduced prices to those who showed their "I Voted" stickers. Additionally, the city provided free public transportation, and organizations offered assistance with obtaining voter IDs, ensuring that all eligible citizens could exercise their right to vote without facing unnecessary barriers.

Election Day Freebies and Discounts

Food and Beverage Offers

Several food and beverage establishments in Raleigh and surrounding areas offered special Election Day deals in 2016:

• Krispy Kreme provided a free doughnut to voters who showed their "I Voted" sticker. This popular treat was available at participating Krispy Kreme locations throughout the area.

• Great American Cookies offered a free regular cookie to voters. This sweet incentive encouraged civic participation while satisfying voters' post-voting cravings.

• Firehouse Subs rewarded voters with a free medium drink when they presented their "I Voted" sticker. This offer provided refreshment to those who had just exercised their civic duty.

• Noodles & Company encouraged voters to participate in their "mac and cheese election" by casting a vote for their favorite variety. After voting, customers could print a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free regular bowl of mac and cheese.

• East Coast Wings and Grill offered five free honey BBQ chicken wings with any entree purchase on Election Day. This savory treat was available to voters who showed proof of having voted.

• Chuck E Cheese provided a special incentive for families with a coupon code (5253) that could be used to get a free personal pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase.

• Bob Evans offered a 30% discount on the entire bill for voters who showed their "I Voted" sticker, making Election Day dining more affordable.

Service and Transportation Offers

Beyond food, various services and transportation options were also made available to voters:

• Zipcar, the car-sharing service, made more than 7,000 cars available free of charge on Election Day to help voters get to the polls. Users needed to reserve the vehicles online or through the Zipcar app to take advantage of this offer.

• Go To Meeting, a web conferencing service, offered a free 30-day trial for those who signed up by Election Day, providing a valuable resource for remote work or collaboration.

• Gold's Gym provided free access to exercise facilities for Election Day, allowing voters to maintain their fitness routines while participating in the democratic process.

• GoRaleigh, the city's public transit bus service, offered free transportation on Election Day. This initiative, approved by the Raleigh City Council, was designed to encourage voting by removing transportation barriers. The free service included both regular GoRaleigh buses and GoRaleigh Access (the city's paratransit service). Studies have shown that transportation barriers prevent many citizens from voting, with a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology survey suggesting that transportation was a reason 31% of registered voters did not cast their ballots that year.

Voter ID Assistance in North Carolina

The 2016 election in North Carolina was conducted under a new state law requiring all registered voters to provide photo identification to cast a ballot. To ensure that all eligible citizens could obtain the necessary identification, several initiatives were implemented:

Free Voter ID Cards

The North Carolina DMV and State Board of Elections worked together to provide free voter ID cards before the 2016 election. These cards were available at all DMV locations throughout the state. According to Josh Lawson with the State Board of Elections, the free ID cards were sought by various groups, including:

• Homeless individuals
• People who don't drive
• Any North Carolina resident who could prove their identity and eligibility

Elizabeth Owens, a Raleigh voter, emphasized the importance of these free IDs, particularly for those with mobility challenges. Her daughter, who uses a motorized wheelchair and cannot drive, would have faced significant difficulties obtaining a voter ID without this program.

Free Transportation to DMV Locations

The North Carolina Republican Party partnered with local organizations to offer free rides to anyone needing a valid photo ID to vote in the state's 2016 elections. The party stated that volunteers would drive "any North Carolinian in need of a valid photo ID to vote to the nearest DMV location to get a free photo ID free of charge."

To request a free ride, applicants needed to complete a form on the party's website. After submitting the form, volunteers would contact the applicant to arrange transportation to a DMV location. Todd Poole, Executive Director of the North Carolina Republican Party, emphasized that the photo ID law was a "common-sense measure to protect the integrity of our elections" and that their volunteers were ready to help people of any political persuasion obtain the necessary identification.

The Impact of Election Day Incentives

The combination of freebies, discounts, and voter assistance programs in Raleigh and across North Carolina during the 2016 election reflected several important considerations:

1. Removing Barriers to Voting: Both the free public transportation and the voter ID assistance programs were designed to remove practical barriers that might prevent eligible citizens from voting. By addressing transportation needs and providing free identification, these initiatives helped ensure broader participation in the democratic process.

2. Civic Engagement Through Incentives: The Election Day freebies offered by businesses served as both marketing opportunities and incentives for civic participation. These offers encouraged people to vote by providing immediate, tangible rewards for their participation.

3. Partisan and Non-Partisan Cooperation: While some voter assistance initiatives were partisan in nature (such as the Republican Party's offer of free rides to DMV locations), others were non-partisan (such as the city's free public transportation). This mix reflected the complex landscape of election assistance in the United States.

4. Balancing Election Integrity and Access: The voter ID requirements and the associated assistance programs highlighted the ongoing debate in many states about how to balance election integrity measures with ensuring broad access to voting for all eligible citizens.

Conclusion

Election Day 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina, featured a variety of freebies, discounts, and assistance programs designed to encourage voter participation. From food and beverage offers from popular establishments to free transportation and voter ID assistance, these initiatives recognized both the importance of voting and the practical barriers that might prevent people from participating in the democratic process. By combining immediate incentives with practical assistance, Raleigh's Election Day offerings reflected a multifaceted approach to promoting civic engagement while addressing the specific challenges faced by different segments of the population.

Sources

1. Freebies on Election Day
2. GoRaleigh Announcements - Free Transportation on Election Day
3. Free Voter ID Cards
4. Free Rides for Voter IDs
5. Election Day Freebies and Deals
6. Views of the Election in Raleigh, NC
7. Primary Elections Information