Georgia Election Day Freebies And Deals What Voters Can Expect

During election cycles, businesses and organizations often offer incentives to encourage civic participation. In Georgia, voters have access to various freebies, discounts, and services during the election period. This article examines the Election Day offers available to Georgia voters, including food deals, transportation assistance, and community initiatives, while also addressing the legal considerations surrounding voter incentives.

Legal Considerations for Voter Incentives in Georgia

While many businesses aim to encourage voter participation through incentives, Georgia law imposes certain restrictions. According to the Georgia Code, providing money or gifts in exchange for voting constitutes a felony offense. The legislation specifically prohibits offering gifts or money to individuals solely because they have voted, regardless of whether the vote was cast for a particular candidate.

The legal boundaries around voter incentives exist in somewhat of a "gray area" according to election officials. The statute does not explicitly address whether discounts on merchandise qualify as prohibited gifts. Businesses like The Clearance Warehouse in Ashburn have proceeded with offering a 10% discount to customers who present "I'm a Georgia Voter" stickers, citing their intention to promote civic engagement rather than directly purchase votes.

The Secretary of State's office has clarified that even well-intentioned corporate or business efforts to encourage voting must comply with legal stipulations. This creates a complex landscape where businesses must balance their desire to support democratic participation with adherence to election laws.

Transportation Assistance for Voters

Recognizing that access to polling places can be a barrier to voting, several organizations have provided free transportation services during Georgia's election period. The New Georgia Project (NGP) has offered complimentary rides to the polls for the November General Election.

Their transportation services included: - Van rides for seniors in Metro Atlanta available daily during early voting (October 15 – November 1) from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Election Day (November 5) from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM - Lyft rides available across the state on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM during early voting, and on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

To request transportation, individuals were required to complete an online form or call the NGP hotline at 1-800-874-1541. The organization noted that requests made during early voting required a minimum of 48 hours for processing and arrangement. The service was available in both English and Spanish, with Spanish speakers able to access assistance through the same hotline number.

Restaurant Deals and Free Food Offers

Numerous restaurants and food establishments across Georgia have offered special deals and free items to voters on Election Day. These incentives ranged from complimentary food items to discounts on meals, with many requiring proof of voting through an "I Voted" sticker.

National chains offering Election Day deals included: - Chili's: Provided Presidente Margaritas for $5 and free commemorative stickers through Election Day, while supplies lasted - DoorDash: Offered free delivery on all orders with a $15 minimum when using promo code VOTE - Dunkin': Extended Free Coffee Wednesdays through December 23, allowing DD Perks loyalty program members to receive a free medium hot or iced coffee - Grubhub: Featured more than 30 discounts in the Perks tab within the Grubhub or Seamless apps - Krispy Kreme: Distributed free Original Glazed Doughnuts (one per person, no purchase necessary) along with "I Voted" stickers - McDonald's: Gave away new pastry items with the purchase of a hot or iced coffee through their app from November 2-9, with one use per day

Additional national restaurant offers included: - Johnny Rockets: Provided free shakes with any in-store purchase when customers mentioned the "Free Shake" offer at the register - Fazoli's: Offered $2 off any signature bake menu item - Yogurtland: Provided 15% off to customers who presented an "I Voted" sticker - Dave & Buster's: Featured special promotions to ease Election Day stress

Local Georgia establishments also participated in Election Day incentives: - Whiskey Bird in Morningside: Offered a steak and fajita takeout special on Election Night for $48, including spinach dip, wonton chips, Caesar salad, queso mac and cheese, and chocolate chip cookies - Storico Fresco in Buckhead: Provided half-priced cocktails on Election Day - Little Spirit in Inman Park: Offered free snaquiris (bite-sized daiquiris) on Election Day evening for those with an "I Voted" sticker - Krab Queenz: Though typically closed Tuesday through Thursday, provided a 50% discount on daiquiris or shrimp plates on November 6 with proof of voting

Several restaurants also extended their Happy Hour specials on Election Day, including Whiskey Bird which extended its $4 cocktails and bites until closing on November 3.

Community Initiatives Supporting Voters

Beyond individual business offers, several grassroots organizations and community initiatives worked to support voters during the election period. These efforts focused on providing food, water, and other necessities to people at polling locations, particularly those experiencing long lines.

The Georgia 55 Project, named after the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 55,000-vote difference in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race, coordinated hundreds of volunteers to provide snacks, water, and food items at metro Atlanta polling places. The initiative partnered with several Atlanta-area restaurants for these election efforts and maintained a GoFundMe campaign to support their activities.

Food distribution initiatives included: - Georgia's Own Credit Union partnering with Insomnia Cookies to deliver 2,020 free cookies to polling locations, beginning at the Central Park Recreation Center in Old Fourth Ward - Moonbird Coffee distributing coffee and snacks at polling places, accepting snack donations at their Chamblee location through November 3 - Victory Brand restaurants delivering 1,000 sandwiches to Atlanta poll locations - Chef Hugh Acheson and other chefs providing 2,000 meals to eight polling locations throughout Georgia

Atlanta-based writer and filmmaker King Williams led a pizza and snack initiative in DeKalb and Clayton counties, also aiming to distribute masks. Donations could be made through CashApp or Venmo, with any remaining funds going to Hosea Feed the Hungry program.

Leftover food and supplies from these initiatives were donated to various community organizations, including Free99Fridge, Covenant House youth shelter, Nicolas House, Atlanta Union Mission, and local schools.

Election Day Business Closures

While many businesses offered Election Day deals, others chose to close their doors on November 5. Several Atlanta restaurants and establishments announced closures for Election Day, including:

• Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
• Spiller Park Coffee (Toco Hills and Ponce City Market locations)
• Nick's Westside
• Ben & Jerry's (Inman Park)
• Junior's Pizza
• Empire State South
• Salaryman
• Lazy Betty
• Redbird
• Ruby Chow's
• Bon Ton
• The Lawrence
• WonderKid
• Victory Sandwich Shop (Inman Park and Decatur)
• LLoyd's
• Little Trouble
• Victory Coffee and Calamity
• Socks Love Barbecue
• Kimball House
• Hodgepodge Coffee House
• Cooks & Soldiers
• Sugo
• Double Zero
• The Iberian Pig (Decatur and Buckhead)
• Bar Mercado
• Recess
• O-Ku
• Oak Steakhouse
• Colletta

Some establishments modified their hours rather than closing completely: - Oz Pizza locations closed at 4:00 PM on Election Day - Ticonderoga Club closed at 5:00 PM

Conclusion

Georgia voters during the recent election period had access to numerous incentives and support services designed to encourage civic participation. While legal considerations exist around offering direct incentives for voting, many businesses found compliant ways to reward voters through discounts and free items. Transportation assistance helped ensure polling place accessibility, particularly for seniors and those across the state. Grassroots initiatives demonstrated strong community support for voters through food distribution and resource provision at polling locations.

As voters navigated their options, they could balance taking advantage of these offers while remaining mindful of the legal framework governing election incentives. The combination of business promotions, community support, and transportation services created an environment where voting was both encouraged and facilitated from multiple angles.

Sources

1. Election Officials Warn of Voting Freebies Being a Felony
2. New Georgia Project Rides to the Polls
3. Atlanta Restaurants and Election Day Deals
4. Election Day Freebies and Deals
5. Additional Election Day Freebies