Election Day Freebies And Discounts In Charleston South Carolina

Election Day in Charleston, South Carolina offers more than just the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Voters can take advantage of numerous freebies and discounts provided by local businesses and transportation services. These promotions, available to all residents casting their ballots, range from free transportation to polling locations to complimentary food and beverages at restaurants throughout the Charleston area. This comprehensive guide details the Election Day offers available to voters in Charleston.

Transportation Options for Voters

Several transportation providers in Charleston have implemented special offers to encourage voter participation by making it easier and more affordable to reach polling locations on Election Day.

CARTA Free Transportation

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is offering complimentary trips to polling locations for voters during local elections. Voters can receive free transportation simply by informing their CARTA driver that they are traveling to or from their polling location. According to CARTA Board of Directors Chair Mike Seekings, "Turning out at the polls on Election Day is among our most critical civic duties, and we're glad to play a small role in helping folks get there." The service is available throughout Election Day, with polls remaining open until 7 p.m. CARTA has made system maps and route information available online to assist voters in planning their trips to the polls.

Ride-Sharing Discounts

Major ride-sharing companies have also joined in encouraging voter participation through discounted services. Uber is offering $10 off a single ride for voters, while Lyft is providing similar promotions throughout Election Day. These discounts can be accessed by entering advertised codes in the respective applications, making transportation to polling locations more affordable for all residents.

Alternative Transportation Options

Charleston-based bike sharing company Gotcha, which operates the city's "Holy Spokes" bike fleet, has made its bikes available at no cost on Election Day through its "Roll to the Polls" initiative. Any customer can access the bikes using a special code, providing voters with an eco-friendly and healthy transportation option.

Additionally, Charleston Pedicab and Charleston Rickshaw are waiving their usual $6 per 10-minute charge for downtown rides to transport people to and from the polls. According to owner Sean Nemitz, the drivers will be easily identifiable as they will be wearing patriotic garb for the occasion. These services do not require proof of voting to claim the free rides.

Food and Drink Offers for Voters

Numerous restaurants and establishments throughout the Charleston area are rewarding voters with complimentary food items and discounts when they present their "I voted" stickers. These offers provide additional incentive for residents to participate in the electoral process while enjoying local cuisine.

Downtown Charleston Offers

Several popular downtown establishments are participating in Election Day promotions:

• Taco Boy is offering free street corn at its downtown location located at 217 Huger Street.
• Tbonz is providing twenty percent off both lunch and dinner at their 80 North Market Street address.
• The Alley Charleston is giving away a free side of tater tots to voters at their 131 Columbus Street location.
• The Workshop is offering ten percent off meals from any of their stalls at 1503 King Street.
• East Bay Biergarten is providing complimentary pretzels to voters at their 549 East Bay Street location.
• D'allesandros Pizza is offering twenty percent off the bill at their 229 St Philip Street establishment.

Mt. Pleasant Offers

Residents and voters in Mt. Pleasant can take advantage of these Election Day specials:

• Coleman Public House is offering free beer with the presentation of an "I voted" sticker at their 427 W Coleman Boulevard location.
• Liberty Tap Room is providing twenty percent off lunch and dinner at their 1028 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard location.

West Ashley Offers

Voters in West Ashley can enjoy these discounts:

• Pearlz Little Oyster Bar is offering twenty percent off meals at their 9 Magnolia Road location.
• Kaminsky's is providing twenty percent off cake purchases at their 2 Magnolia Road address.
• TBONZ is also participating in West Ashley, offering twenty percent off lunch and dinner at their 1668 Old Towne Road location.

James Island Offers

On James Island, voters can visit Zia at 1956 Maybank Highway to enjoy $5 frozen or on-the-rocks Zia margaritas.

Entertainment Discounts

Beyond food and beverage offers, voters can also take advantage of entertainment discounts. Theatre 99 is offering buy one, get one free tickets to Wednesday or Thursday improv shows for voters who present their "I voted" stickers.

Legal Considerations of Election Day Promotions

While Election Day promotions have become increasingly popular, businesses must navigate legal considerations to ensure their offers comply with election laws. According to legal experts, businesses can legally offer Election Day perks by extending the offers to anyone, without requiring proof that the recipient has voted.

Most national chains have discontinued the practice of requiring "I voted" stickers for promotions over the past several years, though many local businesses continue to encourage visitors to display their stickers in exchange for freebies. In Charleston, more than a dozen restaurants and bars have advertised such offers for recent elections.

For ride-sharing services and transportation companies, the approach differs slightly. Voters can use Uber and Lyft discounts by entering advertised codes, while Charleston Pedicab and Rickshaw provide free rides to anyone who requests transportation to or from polling locations. As Nemitz noted, no proof of voting is needed to claim these free rides, which ensures the companies remain compliant with election laws by making the discounts available regardless of whether a customer has voted or will vote on Election Day.

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority's free transportation program follows a similar principle, offering complimentary rides to anyone traveling to or from polling locations without requiring proof of voting status.

Election Day Promotions Across Charleston

The variety of Election Day promotions across Charleston demonstrates the community's commitment to encouraging voter participation. From transportation services to restaurants and entertainment venues, businesses have implemented creative ways to make voting more appealing and accessible.

The Holy City Sinner, a local publication, has been keeping track of freebies throughout Election Day, compiling a comprehensive list of the best deals around town for voters. This resource has become invaluable for residents looking to maximize their Election Day benefits while exercising their civic duty.

The promotion of voting through incentives aligns with broader efforts to increase voter turnout in local elections. As noted in the coverage of Charleston County School Board elections, having trustworthy information about candidates and making the voting process more accessible and rewarding can positively impact civic engagement.

Conclusion

Election Day in Charleston offers numerous benefits beyond the act of voting itself. Transportation providers including CARTA, Uber, Lyft, Gotcha bike sharing, and Charleston Pedicab and Rickshaw have implemented special offers to make reaching polling locations easier and more affordable. Meanwhile, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout Charleston are rewarding voters with complimentary food items and discounts.

These promotions, while not requiring proof of voting, serve as incentives for civic participation and make the voting process more accessible and enjoyable. By taking advantage of these Election Day freebies and discounts, Charleston residents can contribute to their community while enjoying local offerings.

The variety of available options demonstrates the city's commitment to democratic engagement and the creative ways local businesses support the electoral process. Whether through free transportation, complimentary food items, or entertainment discounts, Election Day in Charleston offers multiple reasons for residents to participate in shaping their community's future.

Sources

1. Deals and discounts for voters
2. CARTA offers free rides to polling locations
3. Discounted rides to Charleston area polls
4. Free food and drinks after voting
5. Charleston municipal election candidate filing
6. ACLU engagement with Charleston County School Board election