Election Day Freebies And Deals For Florida Voters In 2016

On November 8, 2016, Election Day in Florida was accompanied by numerous promotions, freebies, and special offers from businesses across the state. These incentives were designed to encourage civic participation by rewarding voters with various complimentary items and discounts. From food and beverages to retail services, numerous establishments participated in these promotions, requiring participants to simply show their "I Voted" sticker to receive their reward. This comprehensive guide details the Election Day freebies and deals available to Florida voters in 2016, based on verified information from participating businesses and news reports.

Food and Restaurant Offers

Multiple restaurant chains and local establishments in Florida offered special deals and free food items to voters who showed proof of voting. These offers spanned various cuisines and price points, providing options for different preferences and budgets.

Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurants

Several fast-food chains participated in Election Day promotions, with many requiring voters to display their "I Voted" sticker to receive their offer.

Krispy Kreme provided a free donut at participating locations to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker on November 8. This promotion was available at Krispy Kreme shops throughout Florida and was one of the most widely recognized Election Day freebies.

BurgerFi offered a special "Conflicted Burger" for $5 (normally priced at $8 or $9) to customers who presented their "I Voted" sticker at participating locations. This promotion was available at BurgerFi restaurants across South Florida.

Church's Chicken provided a special deal consisting of a seven-piece mixed chicken, large side, and four biscuits for $8.99 with a coupon valid until November 8. This offer was available at Church's Chicken locations in Florida.

Casual Dining and Family Restaurants

Several casual dining establishments offered discounts and complimentary items to voters.

Bob Evans provided 30 percent off the entire check for dine-in or carryout orders after 2 p.m. on November 8. This promotion required a coupon and was available at Bob Evans locations in Florida, including in Viera.

Duffy's Sports Grill, a Florida-based chain, offered a free order of red velvet mini donuts with any meal purchase on Election Day. Customers needed to show their "I Voted" sticker or mention that they had voted to receive this complimentary item.

East Coast Wings & Grill provided five free HBBQ wings with the purchase of an adult entrée on Election Day. This offer was available at East Coast Wings & Grill locations throughout Florida.

Regional and Local Specialties

Some Florida-based establishments offered unique promotions tied to Election Day.

Bahama Breeze provided $10 off a $30 purchase with a coupon valid until November 8. This Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain with multiple Florida locations participated in the Election Day promotion.

Eleni's New York, with locations in Florida, offered 10 percent off all election bakery sweets with the promo code ELECTION2016 until November 8. This promotion applied specifically to bakery items with an election theme.

Beverage Offers

Numerous businesses offered complimentary beverages to voters, including coffee, beer, and specialty cocktails.

Coffee and Tea

7-Eleven provided a free any-size coffee to customers who downloaded the 7-Eleven mobile app and scanned the 7Rewards barcode at checkout. This promotion was limited to one free cup per customer and was available at participating 7-Eleven locations throughout Florida.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami-Dade County offered free coffee to early voters, providing a convenient refreshment for those who cast their ballots before Election Day.

White Castle offered a free gallon of iced tea with the purchase of a Crave Case. Customers needed to present a coupon in the restaurants or use the promo code "USA" if ordering online.

Alcoholic Beverages

Several establishments offered discounted or complimentary alcoholic beverages to voters.

World of Beer in Viera offered $1 off the first beer for voters on Election Day. This promotion was part of a broader initiative to bring people together over a pint, as stated by Terry Haley, vice president of marketing for World of Beer.

Bodega in South Beach offered a free shot of tequila to customers who voted. This promotion was available at the South Beach location and provided a quick celebratory option for voters.

Bagatelle Miami Beach offered one free hibiscus champagne cocktail after voting. Customers needed to show their "I Voted" sticker or bracelet to receive this complimentary cocktail.

Playalinda Brewing Co. in Titusville offered $1 off the first Playalinda-brewed beer to anyone who came in wearing their "I Voted" sticker on the evening of Election Day.

Retail and Service Offers

Beyond food and beverages, various retail and service businesses provided special offers for voters.

Fitness and Recreation

Gold's Gym offered free access to local facilities on Election Day for customers who presented a valid "I Voted" sticker. This promotion allowed voters to exercise at no charge, providing an alternative way to relieve Election Day stress.

&pizza provided free drinks for anyone who cast their vote, combining the act of civic participation with a refreshing beverage.

Transportation Services

Zipcar offered a unique transportation incentive for Election Day. Over 7,000 Zipcars were free on election night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time to encourage voters to "zip to the polls during the last few hours." Members could reserve these cars starting at 9 a.m. on November 3 up to Election Day.

Specialty Food Items

California Tortilla, with locations in Florida and the Northeast, offered free chips and queso with any purchase to customers who said one of three specific phrases: "I'm with Queso," "Make Queso Great Again," or "I Vote for Queso!" This promotion allowed politically neutral voters to participate by using the non-partitional phrase "I'm with Queso."

Great American Cookies offered one free regular cookie to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker at participating stores. According to David Kaiser, executive vice president of Great American Cookies, this promotion was intended to "end [the election season] on a positive note for customers."

Firehouse Subs provided a free medium drink for customers who wore an "I Voted" sticker on November 8. This promotion was available at Firehouse Subs locations throughout Florida.

Participation Requirements and Limitations

Participation in these Election Day promotions typically required voters to show their "I Voted" sticker, which was provided at polling places after casting ballots. Some offers had additional requirements:

• Mobile apps: 7-Eleven required customers to download their mobile app and scan a barcode to receive their free coffee.
• Coupons: Some offers required physical coupons or specific promo codes for redemption.
• Time restrictions: Certain promotions, like Bob Evans' 30 percent discount, were only available after 2 p.m.
• Purchase requirements: Most offers required a purchase of some kind, though the value varied by establishment.
• Location limitations: Not all locations within a chain participated in these promotions, so customers needed to verify participation with their local establishments.

Many offers were explicitly limited to one per customer, preventing abuse of the promotions. Additionally, all offers were scheduled to expire on or after November 8, 2016, with some continuing for a limited time afterward.

Election Context and Voter Turnout

The 2016 election was particularly noteworthy for voter turnout in Florida. According to data from The U.S. Elections Project, as of Election Day morning, 6,424,595 people had already voted early in Florida—surpassing the total number of Florida voters in the year 2000, which was 5,861,223. This represented a significant increase in early voting participation.

Nationally, 46,270,767 early votes had been cast by the time Election Day arrived, suggesting high interest and engagement in the 2016 presidential election. With Florida's 12,863,733 registered voters, these numbers indicated that a substantial portion of the electorate had already participated before Election Day.

The high volume of early voters may have influenced some businesses to extend their promotions or make special accommodations for early voters, as seen with the Adrienne Arsht Center's offer of free coffee to early voters in Miami-Dade County.

Business Motivations

While the exact motivations varied by establishment, several common themes emerged from the promotions:

1. Encouraging civic participation: Many businesses framed their offers as a way to thank voters for participating in the democratic process.
2. Driving foot traffic: Election Day promotions provided an incentive for customers to visit establishments they might not otherwise have patronized.
3. Community building: Some businesses, particularly bars and restaurants, positioned their promotions as opportunities for communities to come together during a politically divisive time.
4. Brand positioning: Participating in Election Day promotions allowed businesses to associate themselves with civic values and community engagement.
5. Stress relief: Several promotions acknowledged the stressful nature of the election cycle and positioned their offerings as ways to alleviate tension.

Conclusion

The 2016 Election Day freebies and deals in Florida represented a widespread effort by businesses to encourage voter participation while simultaneously attracting customers. From complimentary food items and beverages to discounts on services, these offers provided voters with tangible rewards for exercising their civic duty. While the promotions varied in scope and requirements, they generally shared a common goal of making the voting experience more rewarding.

The high voter turnout in Florida, with early voting numbers surpassing the total turnout from the 2000 election, suggests that these promotions may have had at least some impact on voter engagement. Businesses across multiple sectors participated, from fast-food chains to local establishments, demonstrating a broad commitment to encouraging civic participation.

For voters, these offers provided not just incentives to participate in the democratic process, but also opportunities to save money or enjoy complimentary items during what is often a stressful day. For businesses, the promotions likely served as effective marketing tools, potentially increasing foot traffic and brand awareness while contributing positively to their community image.

As Election Day 2016 demonstrated, when businesses and civic engagement align, both voters and establishments can benefit from the resulting promotions and incentives.

Sources

1. The Fiscal Times - Election Day Freebies: 17 Tasty Treats for Voters
2. WSVN - Your Guide to Election Day Deals and Freebies in South Florida
3. Florida Today - Beer specials for Election Day
4. Thrillist - Shake Shack Free Fries for Voting
5. Today - Election Day Freebies: 7-Eleven, Krispy Kreme, YMCA & More
6. Mashable - Florida Early Voting Numbers 2016 Election
7. Fox 35 Orlando - Where to Get Election Day Freebies and Deals