Election Day 2016 Michigan Businesses Offer Freebies And Deals To Reward Voters

After months of political campaigns and debates, Election Day 2016 arrived with a special treat for Michigan voters. Across the state, businesses demonstrated their support for civic participation by offering an array of freebies, discounts, and special promotions. From doughnut shops to breweries, restaurants to car services, these Election Day deals provided voters with an opportunity to celebrate their civic duty with some well-deserved rewards. The following overview details the various offers available to Michigan residents who exercised their right to vote on November 8, 2016.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Doughnuts and Sweets

Krispy Kreme stood out as one of the most generous participants in Election Day promotions, offering a free doughnut to any customer who presented an "I Voted" sticker. The popular doughnut chain allowed voters to choose from any flavor available, including the limited edition Pumpkin Spice Cake and Salted Caramel Latte Doughnut. This promotion was available at participating Krispy Kreme locations throughout Michigan and was specifically tied to showing proof of voting.

Great American Cookies also joined the Election Day celebration by offering a free regular cookie at participating locations to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker. This simple yet appreciated reward allowed voters to enjoy a sweet treat after fulfilling their civic duty.

Nestle Toll House Cafe provided another option for those with a sweet tooth, offering a free chocolate chip cookie to customers who presented their "I Voted" sticker. This promotion was available at West Michigan locations, adding to the variety of sweet rewards available to voters.

Coffee and Drinks

For voters needing a caffeine boost before or after casting their ballots, 7-Eleven offered a free cup of coffee of any size. However, this promotion required customers to have the 7-Eleven mobile app installed and to visit a participating location. The app-based offer represented a modern approach to distributing Election Day deals, encouraging digital engagement while rewarding voters.

Firehouse Subs provided voters with a free medium drink with any purchase when wearing an "I Voted" sticker. This promotion offered a refreshing complement to their sandwiches and subs, making it an attractive option for voters looking for a quick meal or snack on Election Day.

Restaurant Deals

Bob Evans offered a substantial discount of 30 percent off the total bill for all customers after 2 p.m. on Election Day. This generous promotion allowed voters to enjoy a hearty meal at a reduced price, with the discount applicable to both dine-in and carryout orders. Customers needed to present a coupon to receive this discount, making it important for interested voters to obtain the promotional material before visiting.

Chuck E Cheese provided a family-friendly option with a free personal pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase. Parents could simply tell the cashier they had voted to receive this offer, making it accessible and straightforward. Alternatively, customers could use coupon code 5235 to claim their free pizza, providing multiple ways to access the promotion.

Schlotzsky's Deli offered mac and cheese lovers a special deal: buy one mac and cheese, get one free on Election Day with coupon code 4207. This promotion was available at the four Schlotzsky's locations in Michigan, providing a comforting and satisfying reward for voters.

Fast Food Offers

White Castle joined the Election Day celebration by offering a free gallon of iced tea with the purchase of a Crave Case. Customers needed to present a coupon in the restaurant or use the promo code "USA" if ordering online, making this promotion accessible both in-store and through delivery. This offer provided voters with a refreshing beverage to complement their White Castle sliders.

BurgerFi offered voters a special discount on their Conflicted Burger, which contains both a meat patty and a veggie patty. The promotion lowered the price of this unique burger to $5, making it an attractive option for voters in the Ann Arbor and Northville areas where Michigan's two BurgerFi locations were situated.

Transportation Discounts

Uber Promotion

For voters needing transportation to the polls, Uber offered a substantial incentive for first-time users. By using the code "VOTETODAY," new riders could receive $20 off their first ride. This promotion aimed to make voting more accessible by removing potential transportation barriers, particularly for those who might not have their own vehicle or alternative transportation options.

Zipcar Free Access

Zipcar participated in Election Day celebrations by offering free vehicle access during the evening hours. From 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Election Day, Zipcar users could drive cars for free with a reservation. The company made over 7,000 Zipcars available nationwide for this promotion, allowing members to "zip to the polls during the last hours" or travel to Election Day celebrations. Members could start making reservations at 9 a.m. on November 3, providing ample time to plan their Election Day transportation needs.

Family-Friendly Offers

Chuck E Cheese

Chuck E Cheese provided a particularly appealing offer for families with children. In addition to the free personal pepperoni pizza with any purchase, the restaurant created an opportunity for families to combine civic engagement with entertainment. By telling the cashier they had voted, parents could receive the free pizza, making it easy to reward the whole family for participating in the democratic process.

YMCA Childcare

Recognizing that childcare responsibilities can sometimes pose challenges for voters, the YMCA offered free childcare services to parents while they voted. This practical support allowed parents with young children to have the time and peace of mind needed to cast their ballots without worrying about childcare arrangements. This community-oriented service demonstrated how businesses and organizations could address specific barriers to voting.

Brewery and Bar Specials

Several Michigan breweries and bars participated in Election Day celebrations by offering drink specials to voters. These promotions created spaces where people could gather to discuss election results, celebrate, or commiserate depending on their political preferences.

Batch Brewing Company in Detroit offered $1 off all day to customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker, encouraging patrons to show their civic pride while enjoying their favorite beers. This straightforward promotion made it easy for voters to receive their discount without complicated procedures.

Rockford Brewing Company in Rockford also offered $1 off beers to customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker. The brewery specifically recommended their "Paradigm IPA," an all-Michigan brew featuring local hops from Hopyards of Kent, providing voters with an opportunity to enjoy a locally crafted product.

Holiday Bar on Grand Rapids' west side offered an especially generous promotion: 50% off the total bill for customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker who mentioned the Facebook post. This substantial discount, combined with the bar's reputation for "crazy great burgers," made it an attractive destination for voters looking for a satisfying meal and drinks.

Dutch Girl Brewery in Spring Lake offered $10 pitchers all day and $1 off sandwiches, providing voters with options for both food and drinks. This promotion made it affordable for groups to gather and discuss election results throughout the day.

New Holland Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids hosted a general "cocktail party" atmosphere on Election Day. The venue encouraged patrons to visit their new location on Grand Rapids' west side to enjoy artisan cocktails featuring house-made spirits or pints of New Holland beer, creating a festive environment regardless of election outcomes.

Service Discounts

Colonial Car Wash

Colonial Car Wash provided a practical reward for voters by offering a free car wash to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker. The promotion was available at the 9 Mile and Farmington location, giving voters an opportunity to get their vehicle cleaned at no cost while recognizing their participation in the democratic process.

Tips for Maximizing Election Day Deals

While businesses across Michigan offered Election Day promotions, there were several factors voters should consider to make the most of these opportunities:

Finding Participating Locations

Many of the promotions were available at participating locations rather than all locations within a chain. Voters were advised to call ahead or check the company's website to confirm that a specific location was offering the promotion before making a special trip. This step was particularly important for regional chains or businesses with limited locations in Michigan.

Best Time to Visit

Some promotions had specific time restrictions. For example, Bob Evans' 30% discount was only available after 2 p.m., while Zipcar's free access was limited to evening hours (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Voters planning to take advantage of multiple deals should consider timing their visits accordingly.

What to Bring

The most common requirement for accessing Election Day promotions was presenting an "I Voted" sticker. Voters should ensure they received this sticker after casting their ballot and kept it visible or accessible when visiting participating businesses. Some promotions required additional items, such as the 7-Eleven app, specific coupon codes, or mentioning social media posts, so voters should review the details of each offer in advance.

Conclusion

Election Day 2016 in Michigan was marked not only by the democratic process but also by an impressive array of freebies and deals offered by businesses across the state. From food and beverages to transportation and childcare, these promotions demonstrated how the private sector could encourage civic participation by providing tangible rewards to voters. The variety of offers ensured that voters with different preferences and needs could find something appealing, whether it was a free doughnut from Krispy Kreme, a discounted meal at Bob Evans, or free childcare from the YMCA.

These Election Day deals served multiple purposes: they rewarded voters for their participation, generated goodwill for participating businesses, and created a sense of community and shared experience during a significant political event. By making the act of voting more enjoyable and accessible, these promotions may have helped reinforce the value of civic engagement in the minds of Michigan residents.

As businesses continue to find creative ways to support democratic processes, the Election Day 2016 freebies in Michigan stand as an example of how the private sector can contribute to a healthy democracy by recognizing and rewarding citizens who fulfill their civic duty.

Sources

1. Election Day Freebies
2. Where to Find Election Day Deals and Freebies in West Michigan
3. Where to Drink in Michigan on Election Night
4. Election Day Freebies and Deals
5. Voter Voices in Key Counties on Election Day
6. Where to Get Election Day Freebies and Deals