Election Day 2016 Freebies And Deals Available In North Carolina

The 2016 Election Day in North Carolina not only offered citizens the opportunity to participate in democracy but also provided access to various freebies and special deals from businesses across the state. As one of the nation's most competitive swing states with numerous local and statewide offices up for grabs, North Carolina became a focal point for both political engagement and promotional marketing. Several national and local brands participated in this trend by offering complimentary products and services to voters who showed their "I Voted" stickers or participated in election-related activities.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Numerous food and beverage companies joined in the Election Day celebration by offering free items to encourage civic participation. These offers ranged from sweet treats to complete meals, providing voters with various options to enjoy while exercising their democratic rights.

Doughnuts and Cookies

Krispy Kreme participated in the Election Day freebies tradition by offering one free doughnut of choice to customers at participating U.S. locations on Tuesday, November 8. No coupon was necessary for this offer, making it easily accessible to voters. The company emphasized its commitment to consumers through a statement highlighting their dedication to quality service.

Great American Cookies also joined the Election Day promotions by offering free regular cookies to customers. According to David Kaiser, executive vice president of Great American Cookies, the company wanted to end the election season "on a positive note for customers" regardless of political affiliation, noting that "all Americans can get behind a free cookie on Election Day."

Pizza Offers

Pizza chains were particularly generous with their Election Day promotions. Marco's Pizza offered a free medium one-topping pizza to customers who visited their website on Election Day to obtain a voucher. This nationwide promotion allowed voters to enjoy a complimentary meal while following election results.

Noodles & Company took a unique approach by encouraging customers to "cast a vote for your favorite mac and cheese" before printing a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free regular bowl. This interactive promotion engaged customers in both political participation and product selection.

Chuck E Cheese provided voters with a coupon code (5253) to receive a free personal pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase, offering families an affordable dining option during the election period.

Restaurant Deals

Firehouse Subs offered patrons a free medium drink when they presented an "I Voted" sticker, providing a refreshing complement to Election Day activities. Similarly, East Coast Wings and Grill offered five free honey BBQ chicken wings with any entree purchase, giving voters a flavorful snack while they monitored election results.

Bob Evans provided voters with a coupon for 30% off their entire order, making it an attractive option for those seeking a more substantial meal. This substantial discount helped make dining out more affordable for families and individuals participating in the electoral process.

Ice Cream Specials

Ben & Jerry's demonstrated a special focus on North Carolina for Election Day by offering free scoops of ice cream from 8 p.m. to midnight at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. This campus-specific promotion was part of the company's "Democracy is in Your Hands" campaign, which had been active in North Carolina for several months. The company had even launched a new flavor, "Empower Mint," in North Carolina in May to bring awareness to voter rights.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food and beverage offerings, various retail and service providers contributed to Election Day promotions by offering free access and special discounts to voters.

Gym Access

Gold's Gym nationwide opened its doors for free to anyone who brought in their valid voter's registration card or "I Voted" sticker. This promotion encouraged both civic engagement and physical activity, allowing voters to maintain their fitness routines while participating in the democratic process.

Other Services

Several service providers offered Election Day specials that went beyond traditional retail offerings. Go To Meeting provided a free 30-day trial of their web conferencing service for customers who signed up by Election Day. This offer proved valuable for individuals and businesses looking to connect during the election period.

Zipcar contributed to civic participation by offering more than 7,000 cars free of charge on Election Day to help voters reach polling stations. Users needed to reserve the Zipcar online or through the app to take advantage of this transportation offer, which removed a potential barrier to voting for many citizens.

The Political Context of North Carolina in 2016

North Carolina's status as a competitive swing state made it particularly significant during the 2016 election. The state had numerous local and statewide offices up for grabs, including positions for governor, senator, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction. There was also the possibility that one or both chambers of the Republican-led General Assembly could change hands.

The outcome of these elections had significant implications for education policy in the state. According to Ferrel Guillory, vice chairman of the education news nonprofit EducationNC, the elections would "almost surely have a profound impact" on school choice, funding, and teacher pay. This impact was particularly relevant given that North Carolina had been without an official budget for part of the year due to disagreements over teacher pay and school reopening policies.

Governor Roy Cooper, who was favored for re-election after his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had pledged to make progressive changes to schools during his initial campaign in 2016. However, many of these initiatives had been hampered by the Republican majority in the state legislature, and the focus of the 2020 election had shifted primarily to questions of race and public health.

How to Access These Offers

To take advantage of the Election Day freebies and deals in North Carolina, voters needed to follow specific procedures:

1. Voting First: Most offers required proof of voting, typically in the form of an "I Voted" sticker or voter registration card. This made voting the first step to accessing these promotions.

2. Presentation of Proof: Food and drink offers generally required voters to present their voting proof at the time of purchase or redemption.

3. Online Redemption: Some offers, like Marco's Pizza, required voters to visit a website to obtain a voucher before visiting the physical location.

4. Reservation Requirements: Service-based offers, such as Zipcar, required advance reservation through online platforms or mobile applications.

5. Time Restrictions: Certain offers, like Ben & Jerry's ice cream at Wake Forest University, had specific time windows during which they were available.

It's important to note that while many of these offers were available nationwide, some were specific to North Carolina or particular locations within the state. Additionally, the offers were typically available only on Election Day itself, November 8, 2016, and expired after that date.

Conclusion

The 2016 Election Day in North Carolina provided an interesting intersection of civic engagement and commercial promotion. Businesses across various sectors offered freebies and discounts to voters, creating a unique environment where democratic participation was incentivized through tangible benefits. From free doughnuts and pizza to gym access and transportation services, these offers made voting slightly more rewarding for North Carolina residents.

The political significance of North Carolina as a swing state added another layer to these promotions, as businesses recognized the importance of engaging with voters in a politically influential region. While these offers were temporary, they demonstrated how commercial entities can support civic participation through creative marketing initiatives.

For voters, these Election Day freebies provided small but meaningful rewards for fulfilling their civic duty. For businesses, they offered an opportunity to connect with consumers during a time of high public engagement and to demonstrate community involvement through supporting the democratic process.

Sources

1. 9to5Toys: Election Day Freebies - Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven, More
2. The74Million: Everything Is Up for Grabs in North Carolina This Election Day
3. ABC11: Freebies on Election Day
4. Today: Election Day Freebies - 7-Eleven, Krispy Kreme, YMCA, More
5. ABC11: Election Day Freebies and Deals