Election Day 2016 Freebies And Deals How Businesses Incentivized Voting

The 2016 U.S. presidential election saw a unique marketing trend emerge as businesses nationwide offered freebies and discounts to encourage voter participation. From food and beverages to services and entertainment, companies provided incentives to citizens who exercised their right to vote. These offers, often requiring proof of voting through the ubiquitous "I Voted" sticker, ranged from complimentary coffee and doughnuts to free gym access and childcare services. This article examines the various Election Day freebies and deals available to voters in 2016, examining the offers, requirements, and potential legal implications of these promotions.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Food and beverage establishments constituted the largest category of businesses offering Election Day deals in 2016. These offers ranged from complimentary items to significant discounts on popular products, with many requiring voters to display their "I Voted" sticker as proof of participation.

Coffee and Doughnuts

Several coffee and doughnut chains participated in the Election Day freebies trend. 7-Eleven offered a free cup of coffee to customers on Election Day 2016. The deal was accessible through the convenience store's mobile app, with some sources specifying that customers could receive their coffee in an extra large 7-Election Stay-Hot Cup at participating locations. Krispy Kreme, a prominent doughnut chain, participated in the trend by offering a free doughnut to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker at participating stores. This offer was widely reported across multiple sources and appeared to be one of the most popular Election Day promotions of 2016.

Restaurant Specials

Numerous restaurant chains offered special deals for voters. Chuck E. Cheese provided a free personal pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase, available either by showing an "I Voted" sticker or by using coupon code #5253 at checkout. BurgerFi offered a $5 "Conflicted Burger," described as featuring one Angus beef patty and one veggie patty, typically priced between $8-$9. The promotion was designed to reflect the contentious nature of the 2016 presidential race.

Firehouse Subs joined the trend by offering a free medium drink to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker. Great American Cookies similarly provided a free regular cookie to voters with proof of voting. World of Beer extended a special offer to voters, providing their first beer for just $1 when they displayed their "I Voted" sticker.

P.F. Chang's offered a 20 percent discount on orders when customers used the promo code "Vote20" either online or when calling in an order. Noodles & Company took a creative approach, asking customers to "cast a vote" for their favorite mac and cheese flavor, after which they could print a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free regular bowl. East Coast Wings and Grill offered five free honey BBQ chicken wings with an entree purchase, while Bob Evans provided customers with a coupon for 30% off their entire order.

Specialty Food Items

Several establishments offered unique Election Day specials. Lofty Pursuits, an ice cream shop, provided a free junior scoop of ice cream to customers with an "I Voted" sticker, explaining it was a way to "thank you for doing your civic duty" and to celebrate something "we can all agree on." GrassLands Brewing Company hosted a "Craft Beer Party" with Bingo for prizes, with no voter sticker required for entry.

One restaurant mentioned in the sources offered "Freedom Fries" made with duck fat for free to customers wearing an "I Voted" sticker. Another establishment provided complimentary tomato bruschetta to voters, while a seafood restaurant offered $1 select oysters on the half shell at all three locations.

Service and Entertainment Freebies

Beyond food and beverages, numerous service providers and entertainment venues offered special deals and free access to voters on Election Day 2016.

Fitness and Wellness Services

Gold's Gym participated in the trend by offering free access to facilities nationwide when customers presented their "I Voted" sticker at the front desk. This promotion allowed voters to exercise their right to vote and then exercise their bodies without cost. The Pasadena YMCA offered free childcare services on Election Day from 8 a.m. to noon and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., enabling parents to vote without childcare concerns. Other YMCAs across the country were also reported to be offering similar free childcare services, with customers encouraged to call their local Y for specific details.

Transportation Services

Transportation companies provided Election Day specials to help voters get to the polls. Uber offered $20 off a ride for first-time users who applied the promo code "VOTETODAY." Zipcar made over 7,000 cars available free of charge from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time on Election Day, allowing voters to access transportation to polling stations without the typical hourly reservation charge. The promotion required advance reservation through the Zipcar app or website, and all other standard fees and charges would still apply.

Entertainment Venues

Entertainment venues also joined the Election Day freebies trend. Amoeba Records offered $3 off any item regularly priced $5 or more when customers showed their "I Voted" sticker or voting stub at any store location. The discount could not be combined with other offers and was not valid for online purchases. Chuck E. Cheese, while primarily known for its food promotion, also provided entertainment opportunities for families with children.

Several sources mentioned establishments offering "election cake" to voters, though specific details about the cake composition or which restaurants were offering it were limited in the provided sources.

Retail and Other Offers

Retailers and service providers outside of the food, beverage, and entertainment sectors also offered Election Day promotions in 2016.

Retail Discounts

Macy's participated in the Election Day promotions with an election day sale offering customers 10, 15, or 20 percent off an online order when they used the promo code "Vote." Additionally, customers could receive $10 off a purchase of $25 or more by using the code "vote25." These discounts were available exclusively through Macy's online channels.

Business Services

Go To Meeting, a web conferencing service, offered a unique promotion for Election Day. Customers who signed up for the service by Election Day could use it free for 30 days, providing an opportunity for businesses and individuals to try the platform without commitment.

Legal Considerations

While Election Day freebies have become a time-honored American tradition every four years, legal questions have been raised about their compliance with election laws. According to one source, federal law "prohibits individuals or companies from providing any pecuniary goods or services in exchange for voting." Jonathan Brater, counsel for New York University Law School's Brennan Center Democracy Program, was quoted explaining this legal restriction.

This raises questions about the legality of many of the 2016 Election Day promotions, particularly those that required voters to show proof of voting (such as an "I Voted" sticker) to receive free or discounted goods and services. Despite these potential legal concerns, numerous businesses continued to offer these promotions throughout the 2016 election cycle.

The legal ambiguity may explain why some promotions did not require proof of voting. For example, GrassLands Brewing Company's "Craft Beer Party" with Bingo for prizes did not require a voter sticker, potentially avoiding the appearance of offering goods or services in exchange for voting.

Conclusion

The 2016 U.S. presidential election saw an unprecedented number of businesses offer freebies and deals to encourage voter participation. From food and beverage establishments to fitness centers and retailers, companies provided incentives ranging from complimentary coffee and doughnuts to free gym access and childcare services. While these promotions were widely popular and successful in driving voter turnout, they also raised legal questions about potential violations of election laws prohibiting the exchange of goods or services for voting.

Despite these concerns, the Election Day freebies trend continued to grow, reflecting businesses' desire to support civic engagement while also attracting customers. As the 2016 election demonstrated, these promotions have become an integral part of the American electoral landscape, blending commerce with civic duty in unique and creative ways.

Sources

1. Cast your vote, get free stuff: NJ election day freebies, discounts
2. Election Day has finally arrived, and as a treat to relieve some voting stress, a number of freebies and deals are being offered on Tuesday.
3. Election Day deals and freebies in SoCal
4. Burgers, "Freedom Fries," gym admission and rides to the polls are just a few of the freebies and deals you can score on Election Day, Nov. 8.
5. Election Day freebies, discounts offered
6. Presidential Election Day freebies are a time-honored American tradition every four years.
7. Many businesses are offering freebies and deals on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8 for showing your 'I Voted' sticker.