Election Day Freebies And Discounts How To Get Rewards For Voting

Election Day has become not only a day for civic duty but also an opportunity for consumers to take advantage of various freebies and discounts offered by businesses across the United States. From food and beverages to transportation and entertainment, numerous companies are encouraging voter participation by providing special offers to those who cast their ballots. This comprehensive guide explores the available Election Day freebies, eligibility requirements, and how consumers can access these rewards while exercising their right to vote.

Food and Beverage Offers

Food establishments have been particularly active in offering Election Day promotions, with many providing free items or discounts to voters who present their "I Voted" stickers. These offers span various categories including baked goods, restaurants, coffee shops, and dessert establishments.

Donut and Bakery Items

Several donut and bakery chains are participating in Election Day promotions:

• Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut to customers who show their "I Voted" sticker at participating locations across the United States.
• Mochinut is providing free donuts to anyone with an "I Voted" sticker through Election Day.
• Great American Cookies is offering a free regular cookie to voters.
• Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop in Austin is giving $2 off meals to customers who bring their "I Voted" stickers.

Restaurant Promotions

Numerous restaurant chains have introduced Election Day deals:

• Firehouse Subs is providing a free medium drink to voters.
• East Coast Wings and Grill is offering five free honey BBQ chicken wings with the purchase of an entree on Election Day.
• Noodles & Company is asking customers to cast a vote for their favorite mac and cheese, then allowing them to print a coupon for a buy one get one free regular bowl.
• Bob Evans is offering 30% off the entire order with a coupon.
• Shake Shack is giving out free fries with any purchase when customers show their voting sticker or use the code "voted" in the restaurant's app.
• Hungry Howie's is providing free medium one-topping pizzas with the purchase of a large pizza when customers use the code "SAVE18."
• Ginger Monkey Tavern in Chandler is offering an 18-cent drink (a pint of domestic draft beer or non-alcoholic beverage) to voters on Election Day.
• Twin Peaks is offering a free order of chips and queso with the purchase of a beverage at participating locations when showing a voting sticker.
• Bill's Bar and Burger at the Westin Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh is providing a free milkshake to anyone who brings in their "I Voted" sticker.

Coffee and Ice Cream Offers

Several establishments specializing in coffee and ice cream are participating in Election Day promotions:

• 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee to customers who download the store's app.
• Amy's Ice Creams is offering a free topping or "crush'n' treat" to those who bring an "I Voted" sticker to any location through November 5th.
• Lick Honest Ice Creams is providing a free topping on ice cream to customers with an "I Voted" sticker. Available toppings include chocolate sauce, regular caramel sauce, spiced caramel sauce, toasted Texas pecans, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate cookie crumble.
• Kerbey Lane Cafe is offering "Pancake Poll Perks" with a free pancake for customers who bring their "I Voted" sticker on November 5th. The business encourages those who participated in early voting to keep their stickers and bring them in on Election Day.
• Austin Beerworks is providing a free beer to anyone 21 years or older who brings their "I Voted" sticker to either location on Election Day.

Transportation Services

Recognizing that access to polling places can be a barrier to voting, numerous transportation providers are offering free or discounted rides on Election Day.

Public Transportation

Several public transit systems are providing free rides to polling locations:

• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers free transportation to polling locations for the November election. Voters can ride at no charge on all DART buses, trains, GoLink, the Dallas Streetcar, Paratransit Services, and the TRE between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station. Customers must show a valid voter registration card to ride for free on Election Day. GoLink riders can use promo code VOTEPRES at checkout for a complimentary Adult Local Day Pass in the DART GoPass app on November 5.
• Trinity Metro in Fort Worth will offer free rides for voting on all local services on Election Day. Customers traveling to or from the polls are eligible for free rides on Trinity Metro buses, On-Demand rideshare services (including paratransit), and TEXRail. The service also includes Trinity Railway Express stations in Tarrant County, including CentrePort. Customers should notify their driver or train conductor that they are traveling to or from a voting location.
• The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) will provide free rides to the polls on Election Day via train, bus, and GoZone.
• STAR Transit offers free, round-trip rides to local polling places for early and Election Day voting. Free early voting service is available on weekdays across the entire service area from October 21 through November 1. In Balch Springs, Mesquite, and Terrell only, free early voting service is also available on Saturday, October 26. Free service to the polls is available across the entire service area on Election Day, November 5.

Rideshare Services

Rideshare companies are also facilitating access to polling places:

• Uber is offering discounted rides on Election Day. When riders open their apps on Election Day, they'll see a "Go Vote!" button on the home screen. Tapping this button allows riders to find their nearest polling place (where available) and book a discounted ride to save up to 50% off a single ride, up to $10. Uber is also offering a 25% discount on food orders on election night.
• Lyft is providing half off rides for everyone, and free rides for those in underserved communities. Customers need to use an access code, which can be obtained by clicking a specific link and entering their zip code.

Bike and Scooter Rentals

• Lime, the rental bike company, is providing free shared bikes, e-bikes, and scooters for up to 30 minutes on Election Day.

Car Rental Services

• Zipcar is offering more than 7,000 cars free on Election Day to help voters reach the polls. Customers must reserve the Zipcar online or through the app.

Retail and Service Offers

Beyond food and transportation, various retailers and service providers are offering Election Day promotions:

• Gold's Gym is providing free exercise access to voters on Election Day.
• Go To Meeting is offering a free 30-day trial of its web conferencing service for customers who sign up by Election Day.

Grassroots Initiatives

In addition to corporate offers, grassroots initiatives are also supporting voters:

• Pizza to the Polls is a grassroots initiative that delivers free pizza to Americans at polling locations with long lines. To request pizza, voters can visit the website and report a long line by submitting a link from Twitter or Instagram that shows how busy the polling location is and including its address.

Entertainment and Family Services

Several entertainment venues and family-oriented businesses are participating in Election Day offers:

• Chuck E Cheese's is offering a free personal pepperoni pizza with any purchase when using the coupon code 5253.
• YMCA locations will provide free child care while parents go vote, making it easier for families with young children to participate in the electoral process.

Conclusion

Election Day has evolved into an opportunity for businesses to encourage civic participation while rewarding voters with various freebies and discounts. From food and beverages to transportation and entertainment, these offers provide additional incentives for citizens to exercise their right to vote. While the specific offers and participating businesses may vary by location and year, the consistent theme across these promotions is the value placed on voter participation. As consumers plan to cast their ballots, they can also take advantage of these Election Day freebies, creating a win-win scenario that supports both businesses and democratic engagement.

Sources

1. ABC11 Election Day Freebies and Deals
2. ABC15 Election Day Freebies
3. CBS News Pittsburgh Businesses Offering Freebies
4. Entrepreneur Election Day Freebies
5. Statesman Election Day Freebies in Texas
6. NBCDFW Free Rides to Vote in Texas