Election Day Freebies And Discounts In Chandler Az 2016 Guide

Election Day in 2016 brought with it not only civic responsibility but also numerous freebies and discounts for voters in Chandler, Arizona and surrounding communities. As residents headed to the polls to cast their ballots, local and national businesses showed appreciation by offering special promotions. These offers ranged from complimentary food and beverages to free transportation and childcare services, all designed to make the voting process more convenient and enjoyable. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Election Day freebies available to Chandler residents during the 2016 election, detailing the offers, participation requirements, and locations.

Food and Beverage Offers

Chandler residents voting in the 2016 election had access to numerous complimentary food and beverage options from local and chain establishments. These offers served as a small token of appreciation for participating in the democratic process.

Krispy Kreme Free Doughnuts

The popular doughnut chain Krispy Kreme participated in Election Day celebrations by offering free original glazed doughnuts at select Arizona locations. Specifically, the Chandler location was among those participating in this promotion. Customers could receive one free original glazed doughnut without needing to prove they had voted, though many chose to display their "I Voted" sticker while enjoying their treat. The promotion was part of the chain's effort to celebrate civic participation, with brand officer Dave Skena stating that "participating in our democracy should be celebrated."

Firehouse Subs Free Drinks

Firehouse Subs locations, including those serving the Chandler area, participated in Election Day appreciation by offering a free medium drink to customers who wore their "I Voted" sticker. The promotion was straightforward: voters simply needed to show their sticker at participating locations to receive the complimentary beverage. This offer provided a refreshing option for those who spent time waiting in voting lines or wanted to continue Election Day discussions over a meal.

Drexyl Dollar Drinks

Chandler residents visiting Drexyl on Election Day could take advantage of a special drink promotion. The establishment offered seven different drink options for just $1 each when customers wore their "I Voted" sticker. This promotion made Election Day more affordable for those looking to enjoy a beverage while following election results or taking a break from political discussions.

Other Regional Food Offers

While not exclusively in Chandler, several other food and beverage promotions were available in the greater Phoenix Valley that Chandler residents could access:

• Shake Shack offered a free scoop of custard at any of its three Valley locations (Uptown Plaza in Phoenix, Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square) when customers mentioned the "Election Day promotion."
• Snooze Eatery provided a free pancake with any entree purchase at its multiple Valley locations when customers wore their "I Voted" sticker.
• Roses by the Stairs Brewing in Phoenix offered $2 off the first pour for customers displaying their "I Voted" sticker.
• Marino's Italian Kitchen & Bar at Desert Ridge offered all-day happy hour pricing, including $6 well cocktails, draft beer, and house wine, plus $2 off specialty cocktails.
• Bluewater Grill provided all-day happy hour pricing for customers wearing their "I Voted" sticker.

Childcare Services

Recognizing that voting can take time, especially with potentially long lines, several Chandler-area businesses provided complimentary childcare services to assist parents during the election process.

YMCA Free Child Care

All sixteen Valley of the Sun YMCA locations, including those serving Chandler, offered four hours of free childcare on Election Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This service was open to both YMCA members and non-members, making it accessible to all families in the area. The only requirement was that children must be potty-trained to participate in the program. This initiative helped parents who might have otherwise struggled to find childcare while they fulfilled their civic duty.

The YMCA's child care service addressed a common barrier to voting for parents of young children. By providing this complimentary service, the organization demonstrated community support for the electoral process while also supporting working families who needed assistance balancing childcare responsibilities with voting.

Transportation Offers

Several companies provided free transportation services to help Chandler residents get to and from polling places on Election Day 2016. These offers aimed to remove another potential barrier to voting by making transportation accessible to all.

Discount Ride Free Rides

Discount Ride, a transportation service, offered free rides to polling places through its mobile app. Chandler residents could download the app, set up an account with a credit card, and use the promotion code "RIDE2VOTE" to receive a free ride worth up to $10. This code could be used for transportation to the polling location and for the return trip, ensuring voters had a convenient and cost-effective way to reach their designated voting sites.

ZipCar Free Rides

For those needing transportation in the evening, ZipCar participated in Election Day appreciation by waiving fees on Election night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The "#DrivetheVote" initiative allowed approved ZipCar users to access vehicles without additional charges to travel to polling places. Participants needed to have an existing ZipCar account and be approved for the service, but once registered, they could take advantage of this transportation offer.

Lime Scooter and Bike Rides

Lime, a mobility company, offered free scooter and bike rides to the polls through Election Day. Users could enter the code VOTE2024 at checkout to receive complimentary rides, providing another option for environmentally-conscious transportation to voting locations. This promotion was particularly valuable for Chandler residents living relatively close to their polling places who preferred not to drive or use traditional ride services.

Uber and Uber Eats Discounts

While not offering completely free services, Uber provided significant discounts for Election Day travel. The company offered riders 50% off trips to their polling places, with discounts up to $10. Additionally, Uber Eats provided 25% off orders up to $15 with a $25 minimum order, available from 6 p.m. local time on November 5 to 7 a.m. local time the following day. These offers helped Chandler residents save money on both transportation and food delivery during the election period.

Additional Promotions and Discounts

Beyond food, childcare, and transportation, several other businesses in and around Chandler offered Election Day promotions and discounts that voters could take advantage of.

7-Eleven Free Coffee

7-Eleven stores in the Chandler area offered complimentary coffee to customers on Election Day. The promotion began at midnight on November 8 (Election Day), and customers could receive any size or flavor of coffee for free. To access this offer, individuals needed to download the 7-Eleven mobile app and locate the free coffee coupon in the "Scan and Save" section. This promotion provided voters with a convenient way to start their day or stay alert while monitoring election results.

IKEA Frozen Yogurt

While not specific to Chandler, the IKEA store in nearby Tempe offered free frozen yogurt to shoppers on Election Day. The promotion required customers to present either a printed or electronic version of a coupon available on IKEA's website. The frozen yogurt was available at the bistros within IKEA stores, and the company described the promotion as a way to "celebrate and support voting rights."

Johnny Rockets Free Shakes

Johnny Rockets, a 1950s-style diner chain, offered customers one free milkshake with any in-store purchase at participating locations on Election Day. Diners needed to mention the "Free Shake" offer at the register to receive their complimentary treat. While not specific to Chandler, this promotion was available at various locations throughout the Phoenix Valley that Chandler residents could access.

Round Table Pizza Discounts

Round Table Pizza offered a $6 discount on large or extra-large pizzas for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery at participating locations. This promotion provided an affordable dining option for those wanting to gather with friends or family to watch election results. The chain had more than 400 locations, mostly on the West Coast, making it accessible to many Chandler residents.

Participation Requirements and Limitations

While numerous Election Day promotions were available in Chandler and surrounding areas, it's important to note the various requirements and limitations that applied to these offers.

Proof of Voting Requirements

Most promotions required voters to display their "I Voted" sticker to receive the discount or free item. This included offers from Firehouse Subs (free medium drink), Drexyl ($1 drinks), Snooze Eatery (free pancake), Roses by the Stairs Brewing ($2 off first pour), and Bluewater Grill (all-day happy hour). These businesses used the sticker as a simple verification method that the customer had participated in the electoral process.

Some promotions, such as Krispy Kreme's free doughnuts, did not require proof of voting. The company distributed "I Voted" stickers to customers regardless of whether they had voted early or by absentee ballot, and the free doughnut offer was available to anyone, not just those who had voted on Election Day itself.

Location-Specific Participation

Not all locations of participating chains offered the same promotions. For example, while Krispy Kreme's Chandler location was offering free doughnuts, some Arizona locations were not participating in the promotion. Similarly, IKEA required customers to present a coupon, indicating that not all stores or customers would automatically receive the free frozen yogurt.

App-Based Requirements

Several promotions required the use of mobile apps: - 7-Eleven customers needed to download the 7-Eleven app to access the free coffee offer - Discount Ride required users to download their app and enter a promotion code - Lime required users to enter a code at checkout - Uber and Uber Eats accessed their promotions through their respective apps

These digital requirements potentially excluded some voters who did not have smartphones or were not comfortable using these applications.

Purchase Requirements

Some promotions required a minimum purchase to receive the discount or free item: - Johnny Rockets required an in-store purchase to receive a free milkshake - IKEA required customers to be shopping at the store to receive the free frozen yogurt - Uber Eats required a $25 minimum order to receive the 25% discount

These purchase requirements meant that while the items were discounted or free, customers still needed to spend money to take advantage of the offers.

Historical Context of Election Day Promotions

Election Day freebies and discounts have become increasingly common in recent years as businesses seek to show appreciation for civic participation while also attracting customers. The 2016 election in Chandler and the greater Phoenix Valley followed this trend, with numerous local and national companies joining in the tradition of rewarding voters with special offers.

These promotions exist in a legal gray area. While it's illegal to reward people directly for voting or to pay people to register to vote, businesses have found a workaround by offering promotions that are available to everyone but are framed as Election Day specials. The distinction is important legally, as evidenced by the backlash against Elon Musk's controversial $1 million sweepstakes to registered voters in swing states during a later election.

The "Time to Vote" initiative, which included more than 2,000 companies in 2016, focused on ensuring employees could vote with their work schedules rather than offering direct incentives. While less than half of U.S. states require employers to give workers paid time off to vote, many companies voluntarily adjusted their policies to accommodate voting.

Election Day itself, which falls on the first Tuesday in November, is not a federal holiday in most states. However, some states celebrate it as a public holiday, which affects local government office closures and potentially business hours. In Arizona, where Election Day 2016 promotions were particularly abundant, businesses remained open and used the day as an opportunity to engage with customers and support the democratic process.

Conclusion

The 2016 Election Day in Chandler, Arizona offered voters numerous opportunities to enjoy complimentary goods and services while participating in the democratic process. From free doughnuts at Krispy Kreme and complimentary childcare at the YMCA to discounted transportation and food specials at local restaurants, businesses throughout the community showed appreciation for civic engagement.

These promotions not only provided tangible benefits to voters but also demonstrated the ways in which private enterprise can support democratic institutions. While some offers required proof of voting through "I Voted" stickers, others were available to all customers, creating a mix of targeted and inclusive incentives.

For Chandler residents, Election Day 2016 presented a unique opportunity to combine civic duty with enjoyment of local businesses and services. The variety of offers available reflected the diverse interests and needs of the community, from parents needing childcare to food enthusiasts seeking complimentary treats and voters requiring transportation to polling places.

Sources

1. ABC15 - Election Day Deals Around Phoenix
2. CNN - Free Discounts Election Day
3. Forbes - Companies Giving Out Election Day Freebies
4. AZ Central - Sitemap
5. Phoenix New Times - Election Day Phoenix Restaurants