Election Day Freebies And Voting Incentives In Houston A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Election Day in the United States has become an occasion not only for civic participation but also for businesses to offer special deals and freebies as incentives for voters. While Election Day is not a national holiday in most of the country, many companies use the opportunity to demonstrate community support and encourage voter turnout through promotional offers. This article examines the various Election Day freebies and voting-related incentives available in Houston and surrounding areas, with particular attention to offers from different businesses and organizations during election periods.

Election Day Freebies and Promotional Offers

Food and Beverage Promotions

Several food and beverage establishments have historically offered Election Day promotions to encourage civic engagement. Among the most consistent participants is Krispy Kreme, which has made a practice of providing free doughnuts to voters. The company has stated that "a healthy, vibrant democracy depends on engaged citizens who vote," and they celebrate voters by offering free Original Glazed doughnuts on Election Day. This practice was observed in multiple election cycles, including both 2020 and 2021.

Other restaurant chains have also developed Election Day traditions: - White Castle has offered a free gallon of iced tea with the purchase of a Crave Case, requiring either a coupon in restaurants or the promo code "USA" for online orders - California Tortilla has promoted free chips and queso with any purchase when customers use specific phrases like "Make queso great again," "I'm with queso," or "I vote for queso" while ordering - Firehouse Subs has provided free medium drinks to customers who show their "I Voted" sticker - &pizza has offered free drinks to anyone who casts their vote - World of Beer has participated by offering guests their first beer for $1 in all taverns on election day

In North Texas, numerous restaurants and companies have historically offered discounts and freebies during election seasons, though specific details for 2016 in Houston are not extensively documented in the available sources.

Retail and Service Industry Promotions

Beyond food establishments, other businesses have also developed Election Day promotions:

• Zipcar has provided free vehicle access on election night to help voters reach polling places. In one specific instance, over 7,000 Zipcars were made available free of charge from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time on Election Day. Members could reserve vehicles starting at 9 a.m. on the day before the election.

• Fitness centers like Gold's Gym have encouraged voter participation by offering free access to facilities on Election Day to those who present a valid "I Voted" sticker.

• Convenience stores have also participated in the trend, with 7-Eleven offering free coffee at participating locations, though requiring the use of their mobile app for redemption.

Corporate Support for Voting

Beyond direct freebies, many corporations have shown support for voting through other means. Some companies have provided employees with time off to vote, though requirements vary by state. According to the Movement Advancement Project, an independent think tank, less than half of US states mandate that employers provide workers with paid time off to vote.

Pizza to the Polls represents another form of corporate and community support for voting. This organization, which started in 2016 after observing long lines at early voting sites, delivers pizza to polling locations to feed voters waiting in line. The organization's founders noted that they "sent in delivery pizzas to feed the crowds" during the early voting period.

Voting in Houston: Early Voting and Accessibility

Early Voting in Harris County

Houston's Harris County has demonstrated consistently high voter engagement, breaking early voting records in multiple election cycles. In 2020, the county set multiple records during the early voting period:

• On the first day of early voting, more than 128,000 people voted, shattering previous records
• On the second day, approximately 100,000 ballots had been cast by 5:20 p.m., surpassing the previous day-two record of 73,542 set in 2016
• By the end of the early voting period, nearly 1 million people had voted in Harris County, breaking the 2016 early-voting record

The expansion of voting access has been a priority in Harris County. In 2020, the number of early voting centers increased from 40 in 2016 to 122, significantly enhancing accessibility for voters. The Houston Food Bank became one of these polling locations, representing an innovative approach to expanding voting accessibility. Melanie Pang, director of advocacy at the Houston Food Bank, explained that they "reached out to [the clerk's office] and said we were interested in being a polling location, especially for this historic location."

College Voter Engagement

The Mayor's Early Vote College Challenge was initiated to inspire student voting at Houston-area universities. Mayor Turner participated in events at the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University to encourage early voting among college students. The challenge emphasized that "voting matters, who you vote for matters, and this election matters," reflecting the importance of youth participation in the democratic process.

Community Partnerships for Voting

Community organizations have played a significant role in promoting voting access and participation. In 2020, the Harris County Clerk's Office partnered with the Houston Rockets and MTV for the inaugural Vote Early Day at the Toyota Center. This event aimed to make voting more accessible and appealing to younger demographics. At the time, over 800,000 Harris County residents had already voted, with a week remaining in the early voting period.

Special Election Events and Appearances

Political Figures and Campaigns

High-profile political visits have also marked election seasons in Houston. In 2020, Senator Kamala Harris visited Texas during the general election campaign. Her visit on October 30, 2020, represented a significant moment in the election cycle, as she was described as "the highest-profile representative of the Biden campaign to visit Texas in person during the general election."

Election Debates and Media Coverage

Houston has also hosted significant election-related events, including presidential debates. In 2016, the University of Houston was selected by CNN, the Republican National Committee (RNC), and Telemundo as the host site for a Republican presidential candidates' debate on February 25. The debate, moderated by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, took place at the Moores Opera House in the Moores School of Music. Telemundo News co-anchor Maria Celeste Arrarás, Salem talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, and CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash joined as questioners.

This debate was particularly notable as it was the final GOP debate before the crucial "Super Tuesday" primary elections and was sanctioned by the RNC. The University of Houston expressed honor in serving as the host site, with Richie C. Hunter, Vice Chancellor/University of Houston Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Media Relations, stating, "The University of Houston is honored to serve as the host-site of this important national conversation."

The debate was produced in partnership with Google and Salem Media, with CNN television networks, CNN.com, and Telemundo (the only Spanish-language TV network hosting a RNC sanctioned debate that election cycle) airing it live. Salem Radio Network served as the exclusive radio provider for the event.

Election Day Logistics and Considerations

Voting Machine and Location Management

Election administration has faced various challenges in the Houston area. In one instance during early voting, eleven of 22 electronic voting machines in Denton County were improperly coded for election day rather than early voting, highlighting the technical complexities of election administration.

The expansion of voting locations has been a response to anticipated high turnout. Montgomery County considered adding two more early-voting locations in New Caney and Spring at the East Montgomery County Courthouse Annex to accommodate increased demand.

Election Day as a Holiday

It's important to note that Election Day is not a national holiday in the United States, though some states observe it as a public holiday. This status affects both government operations and employer policies regarding time off for voting. The limited recognition of Election Day as a holiday has led to various private-sector initiatives, such as the freebies and discounts offered by businesses, to encourage participation without requiring employees to take time off.

Conclusion

Election Day in Houston has evolved into more than just a civic duty—it has become an occasion for community engagement and business participation through various freebies and incentives. From food and beverage promotions to transportation assistance and fitness center access, businesses have developed creative ways to encourage voter participation. Meanwhile, local government and community organizations have worked to expand voting access, breaking records in early voting and establishing innovative polling locations. While the specific 2016 Houston Election Day freebies are not extensively detailed in the available sources, the consistent pattern of business participation and high voter engagement in the Houston area demonstrates the city's commitment to democratic processes. As election cycles continue, these traditions of both civic participation and business support are likely to remain important elements of Houston's electoral landscape.

Sources

1. WTXF - Election Day Freebies and Deals
2. University of Houston - 2016 Presidential Debate
3. ABC13 - Freebies on Election Day 2022
4. Click2Houston - Early Voting
5. CBS News Texas - Elections