Los Angeles Election Day 2018 Freebies Food Drinks And Transportation Deals For Voters

The 2018 midterm elections brought not just important political decisions but also numerous incentives for Los Angeles residents to participate in the democratic process. Across the city, restaurants, bars, transportation services, and retailers offered special deals and freebies to those who voted. These incentives ranged from complimentary food and beverages to discounted transportation, providing voters with both practical benefits and rewards for civic engagement.

Transportation Deals and Free Rides

Getting to the polls was made easier through various transportation offers during the 2018 Election Day in Los Angeles. These deals aimed to remove barriers to voting by providing cost-effective travel options to polling locations.

Public transportation systems in the Los Angeles area offered free rides on Election Day. The Metro system, including trains, buses, and bike shares, was completely free for voters. Additionally, several other transit systems in the region participated in this initiative, including Long Beach Transit, Baldwin Park Transit, Pasadena Transit, and Santa Clarita Transit. For those wishing to use Metro Bike Share, the promo code 1162018 unlocked a free 30-minute ride.

Ride-sharing services also provided election-specific discounts. Uber offered $10 off a single ride to polling locations when using the promo code VOTE2018. Lyft similarly incentivized voting by providing 50% off rides to most voting locations. Both services went a step further by offering free rides to voters in certain underserved communities.

Alternative transportation methods were also included in the Election Day deals. Lime, a bike and scooter-sharing service, offered free rides on its vehicles to and from polling places, with rides capped at 30 minutes when using the promo code LIME2VOTE18. For those who preferred car rentals, Zipcar provided $20 toward a future trip with any Election Day rental.

These transportation incentives addressed potential barriers to voting, such as lack of personal transportation or concerns about parking near polling locations. By making it easier and more affordable to reach voting sites, these deals helped facilitate greater participation in the democratic process.

Food and Beverage Offers

Los Angeles restaurants and bars embraced Election Day 2018 with numerous food and drink specials available to voters who displayed their "I Voted" stickers. These offers ranged from complimentary items to significant discounts across various establishments throughout the city.

Bakery and Coffee Shop Deals

Several bakery and coffee shop locations offered Election Day specials. The Village Bakery & Cafe in Atwater Village provided free "I Voted" cookies to customers who showed their voting stickers. Similarly, The Pie Hole offered free "pie holes" to those with proof of voting. Corner Bakery Cafe participated by offering free brewed or cold brewed coffee in any size with a purchase when showing an "I Voted" sticker.

Coffee chain Klatch Coffee offered a special deal at their Redondo Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario and San Dimas locations, where customers with an "I Voted" sticker could purchase a 6-ounce traditional cappuccino for just $2.18. Lemonade offered free cold-pressed lemonade with purchase when customers displayed their "I Voted" stickers.

Baked by Melissa provided a free cupcake with an "I Voted" sticker at their stores, while also offering 10% off online orders on their website when using the promo code IVOTED2018 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Restaurant Specials

Various restaurants offered deals for voters. California Tortilla provided a free order of chips and queso with any purchase when customers simply said "I voted." Capriotti's Sandwich Shop offered $1 off any sub when showing a voting sticker. Jimboy's Tacos provided discounts to celebrate both Election Day and National Nacho Day.

Higher-end dining establishments also participated in the Election Day incentives. All Roy's locations offered a three-ounce pour of Dom Perignon for just $1 when customers purchased an entrée and showed their voting sticker.

Bar and Beverage Deals

The bar scene in Los Angeles featured some of the most notable Election Day deals. Several bars offered one-cent beers, including Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, Mohawk Bend in Echo Park, Beelman's and Spring St. Bar in downtown Los Angeles, and Bluebird Brasserie in Sherman Oaks. These steep discounts made Election Day an attractive time for socializing at local bars.

Bars owned by the 1933 Group in Los Angeles offered $1 Moscow Mules or Old Fashioneds from 5 to 7 p.m. for anyone with an "I Voted" sticker. This limited-time promotion provided an affordable option for those looking to unwind after voting.

National Chain Offers

Several national restaurant chains with locations in Los Angeles also participated in Election Day promotions. Shake Shack offered free fries with any purchase when customers showed an "I Voted" sticker or used the code "ivoted" on the app. Potbelly provided a free cookie with an entree purchase on Tuesday and Wednesday. Krispy Kreme joined in by offering a free doughnut to customers who showed their "I Voted" stickers.

Specialty food retailers also got in on the action. Bobo's offered coupons for free vegan, gluten-free oat bars to customers who shared that they voted on social media. To receive a coupon, customers needed to tag @eatbobos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and use the hashtag #GetOatTheVote, while supplies lasted.

Chameleon Cold-Brew provided a voucher for a free 10-ounce drink when customers posted a selfie with their "I Voted" sticker on Instagram.

How to Access Election Day Freebies

To take advantage of the Election Day 2018 freebies and deals in Los Angeles, voters needed to follow specific procedures and meet certain requirements. The access methods varied depending on the establishment and type of offer.

The most common requirement was showing an "I Voted" sticker at participating locations. This physical proof of voting served as the primary method for accessing most food and beverage deals. Voters typically received these stickers after casting their ballots at polling stations or vote centers.

For transportation-related offers, specific promo codes were required. When using Uber, riders needed to enter the promo code VOTE2018 to receive the $10 discount on rides to polling places. Lyft users automatically received 50% off rides to most voting locations without needing a separate code. Lime users needed to use the promo code LIME2VOTE18 to access free rides on bikes and scooters for up to 30 minutes. Metro Bike Share users needed to enter the code 1162018 to unlock their free 30-minute ride.

Some offers required social media participation. Bobo's customers needed to tag the company's social media accounts and use a specific hashtag to receive a coupon for a free oat bar. Chameleon Cold-Brew required customers to post a selfie with their "I Voted" sticker on Instagram to receive a voucher for a free drink.

Many deals had specific timing restrictions. While some offers were available throughout Election Day, others had limited hours. For example, the 1933 Group bars offered their $1 drink special only from 5 to 7 p.m. Potbelly's free cookie promotion extended into the following day (Wednesday), while most other offers were valid only on Election Day itself.

Online retailers had their own access methods. Baked by Melissa required customers to use the promo code IVOTED2018 on their website to receive 10% off orders placed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It was important for voters to note that participation in these offers was typically at the discretion of individual locations. While corporate promotions were generally honored across locations, some independent establishments might have had specific policies or limitations. Voters were advised to check with their nearest location before heading out to confirm participation in these offers.

The Debate Around Voting Incentives

While Election Day freebies and discounts were popular among voters, they also sparked discussion about the ethics and appropriateness of offering incentives for participating in the democratic process. Various perspectives emerged on whether these promotions represented positive civic engagement or potentially problematic attempts to influence voting behavior.

Some argued that these incentives were no different from other common practices that facilitate voting. Vertenten, as referenced in the source material, drew parallels between Election Day freebies and employers allowing workers time off to vote or Uber drivers offering rides to polling places. From this perspective, these incentives simply removed barriers to voting and made the process more accessible and rewarding for participants.

Others questioned whether offering tangible rewards for voting could undermine the civic duty aspect of participating in elections. Some voters, like Alex Yoshida, a junior political science major at USC, expressed that incentives wouldn't have influenced their decision to vote, emphasizing that they were exercising their rights and using their voice rather than expecting rewards.

Skype Hagstrom, a senior business major at USC, acknowledged knowing about Blaze Pizza's free delivery incentive but noted it didn't influence her decision to vote. She had planned on voting before learning about the promotion but appreciated being able to take advantage of both activities. This perspective suggests that while incentives might not be the primary motivator for voting, they can still be appreciated as a bonus.

The debate also touched on concerns about potentially influencing voting behavior. Critics argued that offering rewards could be seen as attempting to sway voters or encourage specific types of participation. However, proponents countered that these incentives were non-partisan and simply encouraged democratic participation regardless of political affiliation.

The question of whether Election Day freebies represented positive civic engagement or problematic incentives remained a topic of discussion. While some viewed them as harmless rewards for civic duty, others questioned the implications of attaching material benefits to what should be considered a fundamental responsibility of citizenship.

Tips for Making the Most of Election Day Freebies

For voters looking to maximize their Election Day 2018 freebies in Los Angeles, several strategies could help ensure they didn't miss out on available offers while still fulfilling their civic duty.

Planning ahead was essential. Voters familiarized themselves with the list of participating establishments in their area before heading to the polls. This allowed them to strategically route their voting day to maximize the number of freebies they could collect while minimizing unnecessary travel.

For transportation deals, voters determined which option best suited their needs. Those living near public transportation routes might have found the free Metro, Long Beach Transit, and other regional transit services most convenient. Others might have preferred the flexibility of ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, despite requiring promo codes. For shorter distances, Lime bikes and scooters offered an eco-friendly option with their free 30-minute rides.

When it came to food and beverage offers, voters considered practical factors like meal timing and location proximity. Those who voted early in the day might have prioritized breakfast or lunch options like free coffee from Corner Bakery Cafe or free cookies from The Village Bakery & Cafe. Those voting later in the day might have focused on dinner specials or happy hour deals at participating bars.

Social media-savvy voters took advantage of offers that required online participation. They prepared to quickly post selfies with their "I Voted" stickers on Instagram for Chameleon Cold-Brew and to tag @eatbobos on various platforms for Bobo's oat bar coupons.

Voters also kept in mind the timing restrictions on certain offers. Those interested in the 1933 Group's $1 Moscow Mules or Old Fashioneds planned to visit between 5 and 7 p.m. Similarly, those hoping to get Potbelly's free cookie on Wednesday made sure to visit on that specific day rather than Election Day alone.

Budget-conscious voters calculated the potential savings from these offers. For example, a $1 three-ounce pour of Dom Perignon at Roy's represented significant savings compared to the regular price. Similarly, one-cent beers at various bars offered almost unmatched value for socializing.

Finally, voters remained flexible and open to unexpected opportunities. Some establishments not widely publicized their Election Day deals, so being prepared to show an "I Voted" sticker at various locations sometimes yielded surprise benefits.

Conclusion

Election Day 2018 in Los Angeles offered voters more than just the opportunity to participate in the democratic process—it provided numerous incentives and rewards for civic engagement. From free public transportation and discounted ride-sharing services to complimentary food and beverages, these offers made voting both more accessible and enjoyable for many residents.

The transportation deals, including free Metro rides, discounted Uber and Lyft services, and complimentary Lime bike and scooter access, helped remove practical barriers to voting. These incentives were particularly valuable for those without personal transportation or facing challenges reaching polling locations.

The food and beverage offers showcased Los Angeles's diverse culinary landscape, with options ranging from coffee shop freebies and bakery treats to restaurant specials and bar discounts. These promotions not only provided immediate rewards for voting but also encouraged exploration of local businesses and cuisines.

While the debate around the ethics of voting incentives continued, many voters appreciated these offers as added bonuses to their civic duty. Whether primarily motivated by civic responsibility or enticed by potential freebies, Los Angeles residents turned out in significant numbers during the 2018 midterm elections.

As voters navigated between polling stations and participating establishments, they experienced a unique intersection of civic duty and consumer rewards—a phenomenon that highlighted the creative ways businesses and organizations can encourage democratic participation while also boosting their own visibility and customer engagement.

Sources

1. Freebies and Deals Being Offered on Election Day 2018
2. All The #ElectionDay 2018 Food And Booze Freebies And Deals
3. Free Election Day Doughnut, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pizza And More
4. Election Day Freebies 2018: Free Rides, Polls And Other Deals
5. Los Angeles Voters Can Get Freebies
6. Are Election Day Freebies Allowed?
7. 16 Spots Where L.A. Voters Can Stress Eat, Drink and Get Freebies on Election Day