Election Day Freebies And Discounts Available In Illinois A Comprehensive Guide

Election Day in Illinois brings not only the opportunity to participate in democracy but also various freebies and discounts offered by businesses across the state. These promotions range from complimentary food and beverages to discounted transportation options, providing incentives for residents to fulfill their civic duty. While many of these offers require proof of voting through an "I Voted" sticker, some businesses have adjusted their promotions to avoid potential legal complications. This article provides a detailed overview of the Election Day freebies and discounts available specifically in Illinois, based on verified information from participating businesses and organizations.

Food and Beverage Freebies in Illinois

Illinois residents can take advantage of numerous complimentary food and beverage offerings when they visit participating establishments on Election Day. These promotions vary in requirements and availability, with some requiring an "I Voted" sticker while others are open to all customers.

Krispy Kreme stands out as one of the most generous participants, offering free Original Glazed doughnuts at all participating U.S. shops, including those in Illinois. Notably, Krispy Kreme does not require customers to show an "I Voted" sticker or make a purchase to receive their complimentary donut. This policy makes the offer accessible to all visitors regardless of their voting status.

For those seeking coffee options, Capital One Cafe provides free drip coffee or tea until 5 PM on Election Day with proof of voting. Similarly, Corner Bakery Cafe offers a free brewed or cold brewed coffee with any purchase when customers present their "I Voted" sticker at participating Illinois locations.

Pizza to the Polls, a service dedicated to supporting voters, delivers pizza to those waiting in line at polling places. While not a traditional in-person freebie, this service responds to requests sent via Instagram to their @pizzatothepolls account, ensuring voters in line can refresh themselves during the democratic process. They've been known to deliver to locations such as 4455 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago.

Parsons Chicken and Fish, with locations in Logan Square and Lincoln Park, Illinois, offers a unique promotion: a .01 cent shot for anyone with an "I Voted" sticker, limited to one per guest. This ultra-discounted beverage option provides voters with an affordable way to celebrate after casting their ballots.

Popeyes has extended its Election Day promotion beyond a single day, offering a free extra chicken sandwich to voters who purchase a chicken sandwich combo via the Popeyes app or website. This offer remains valid until November 9th, providing a window of opportunity for those who may not be able to vote on Election Day itself.

Several other national chains with Illinois locations also offer Election Day promotions, though availability may vary by location:

• Baked by Melissa: Free cupcake with "I Voted" sticker
• California Tortilla: Free order of chips and queso with any purchase
• Capriotti's Sandwich Shop: $1 off any sub with "I Voted" sticker
• Fatz Southern Kitchen: Free Fatz Famous Sweet Tea with purchase of an entrée and "I Voted" sticker
• Lemonade: Free lemonade with any purchase when wearing an "I Voted" sticker
• Miller's Ale House: First beer for $1 when mentioning that you voted

These food and beverage options provide voters with various ways to enjoy complimentary or discounted treats while exercising their civic rights in Illinois.

Transportation and Ride-Sharing Offers

Transportation access plays a crucial role in ensuring all eligible voters can reach polling places. Several transportation companies and services have recognized this need and are offering free or discounted rides to Illinois voters on Election Day.

Lyft has implemented a significant discount program for Election Day, offering 50% off rides, up to $10 off, when customers use the code VOTE22. This discount applies to Lyft rideshare services as well as bike and scooter options, making it easier and more affordable for Illinois residents to travel to their polling places. The company has emphasized that this offer is not intended to induce or is conditioned on the act of voting, aligning with legal requirements.

Getaround provides a $10 discount on Election Day bookings when customers use the promo code GETAROUND2VOTE. This car-sharing service offers another transportation option for voters looking for affordable ways to reach their polling locations.

Public transportation systems in Illinois have also joined the Election Day freebie movement. The Chicago Transit Authority and other local transit systems may offer free fares, though specific details for 2022 are not provided in the source material. Interested voters should check with their local transit authority for current information about Election Day fare policies.

Bike-sharing programs in Illinois, such as Divvy, may offer special promotions. While the source material mentions codes like VOTE18 for Divvy and BIKE2VOTE for BIKEPORTLAND, voters should verify the current status and availability of these promotions in their specific area.

These transportation options collectively address one of the significant barriers to voting—accessibility to polling places—ensuring that Illinois residents can exercise their right to vote without facing financial hardship related to transportation costs.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food, beverages, and transportation, Illinois voters can access various retail and service discounts on Election Day. These offers range from admission discounts to specialized services, providing additional incentives for participation in the democratic process.

The Field Museum in Chicago initially planned to offer free admission specifically to voters who showed their "I Voted" sticker. However, due to legal considerations regarding offering incentives directly connected to voting, the museum modified its offer. Instead, the Field Museum now provides free admission to anyone in Illinois, regardless of voting status. This adjustment allows the museum to celebrate civic engagement while complying with election laws.

Other retail and service establishments may offer Election Day promotions, though the source material does not provide extensive details about additional Illinois-specific offers. Businesses that have implemented similar promotions in other states include:

• Chameleon Cold-Brew: Voucher for a free 10-ounce cold brew when posting a selfie with an "I Voted" sticker on Instagram
• Jersey Mike's Subs: $2 off any regular sub with coupon (part of National Sandwich Day)
• Jimboy's Tacos: Ground Beef Nachos for $5.50 (celebrating National Nacho Day)

Illinois residents interested in these or similar offers should check with their local establishments to confirm participation and specific terms. Some businesses may extend their promotions beyond Election Day, as seen with Popeyes' offer that continues through November 9th.

Legal Considerations for Election Day Promotions

The landscape of Election Day promotions operates within a complex legal framework that businesses must navigate carefully. Federal law, specifically 18 USC Sec. 597, prohibits offering anything of value in connection with registering to vote or voting. This regulation aims to prevent undue influence on voters' decisions and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Several businesses have encountered legal challenges or concerns regarding their Election Day promotions. The Field Museum serves as a notable example, as it initially planned to offer free admission only to those who showed an "I Voted" sticker. However, election officials raised concerns about this approach, noting that "under the law, you can't offer anything of value in connection with registering to vote or voting." In response, the museum adjusted its offer to provide free admission to all Illinois residents, effectively decoupling the promotion from the act of voting.

Legal experts have emphasized that while businesses can run promotions in conjunction with Election Day, they cannot condition these offers on proof of voting. Rick Hasen, a law professor at UC Irvine, explained: "It is illegal in elections when federal candidates are on the ballot to offer free stuff (including free food or drink) to people upon proof of voting."

To comply with these regulations, some companies have carefully crafted their promotional language. For instance, Uber has stated that its offer of free rides to polling places "is not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on, the act of voting, refraining from voting or voting for or against any particular candidate, political party or measure." This clarification helps distinguish between general Election Day promotions and incentives specifically tied to voting behavior.

Businesses considering Election Day promotions should consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with election laws, particularly when offering anything that could be perceived as compensation for voting. Voters should also be aware that while many promotions require an "I Voted" sticker, some businesses may adjust their terms to remain within legal boundaries.

How to Access These Offers

To take advantage of Election Day freebies and discounts in Illinois, voters should follow specific procedures and requirements depending on the participating business:

1. Food and Beverage Offers:

   • For Krispy Kreme's free donut: Simply visit any participating location and request a free Original Glazed doughnut. No purchase or "I Voted" sticker is required.
   • For Capital One Cafe's free coffee: Visit a Capital One Cafe and present proof of voting to receive a free drip coffee or tea until 5 PM on Election Day.
   • For Corner Bakery Cafe's free coffee: Make any purchase at a participating location and show your "I Voted" sticker to receive a complimentary brewed or cold brewed coffee.
   • For Pizza to the Polls: While waiting in line at a polling place, send a report to @pizzatothepolls on Instagram, and they may deliver pizza to your location.
   • For Popeyes' free chicken sandwich: Purchase a chicken sandwich combo via the Popeyes app or website to receive an additional chicken sandwich free of charge (offer valid through November 9th).

2. Transportation Offers:

   • For Lyft discounts: Use the code VOTE22 when booking a Lyft rideshare, bike, or scooter to receive 50% off, up to $10 off.
   • For Getaround discounts: Use the promo code GETAROUND2VOTE to receive $10 off your Election Day booking.
   • For public transportation: Check with your local transit authority for current fare policies, as many systems offer free rides on Election Day.

3. Retail and Service Offers:

   • For The Field Museum's free admission: The offer is now extended to all Illinois residents, regardless of voting status. Proof of Illinois residency may be required.

Before heading out to take advantage of these offers, voters should: - Verify the specific terms and conditions with each business - Confirm participating locations, as not all locations within a chain may participate - Check if offers are limited to Election Day or extend into subsequent days - Be prepared to show an "I Voted" sticker where required - Consider calling ahead to confirm availability, especially for time-sensitive offers

Conclusion

Election Day in Illinois presents numerous opportunities for voters to enjoy complimentary food, beverages, transportation, and services. From Krispy Kreme's free donuts to discounted Lyft rides and free museum admission, businesses across the state have developed promotions to encourage civic participation while navigating legal constraints.

While many of these offers require an "I Voted" sticker, some businesses have adjusted their promotions to remain compliant with election laws by making them available to all customers or emphasizing that they are not conditioned on voting. The Field Museum's decision to offer free admission to all Illinois residents exemplifies this approach.

Voters should take advantage of these opportunities while remaining aware of the requirements and limitations of each offer. By understanding how to access these promotions and the legal considerations that shape them, Illinois residents can make informed decisions about Election Day freebies while fulfilling their civic duty.

As election laws and business promotions may evolve, voters should stay informed about current offers and requirements for future elections. The combination of civic engagement and these complimentary offerings creates a unique Election Day experience that celebrates democracy while providing tangible benefits to participants.

Sources

1. Secret Chicago - Free Perks and Special Discounts for Chicago Voters on Election Day
2. USA Today - Election Day freebies 2018: Free rides, polls and other deals
3. WMAR2News - Uber, Lyft among companies to offer Election Day freebies, but are they legal?