Texas Election Day Freebies Where To Get Free Food And Discounts With Your I Voted Sticker

Texas voters heading to the polls for the 2024 Presidential Election on November 5 have more than just civic duty to look forward to. Restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses across the state are offering special deals and freebies to those who show their "I Voted" stickers. While it's technically illegal to offer free food specifically for voting, businesses have found creative workarounds by providing incentives to anyone with the nonpartisan "I Voted" sticker. This article explores the numerous Election Day deals available in Houston and Austin, along with other special offers designed to encourage voter participation.

Houston's Election Day Dining Deals

Houston residents who cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Election can enjoy a variety of complimentary food and drink options at local establishments. From classic margaritas to artisanal coffee, the city's dining scene has embraced the election season with numerous voter appreciation specials.

Free Margaritas at Hugo Ortega's Restaurants

Several restaurants owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega are offering their signature Hugorita to voters who present their "I Voted" stickers on Election Day. The hand-shaken margarita, made with fresh lime juice, tequila, and triple sec, will be available at:

• Hugo's (1600 Westheimer)
• Caracol (2200 Post Oak)
• Backstreet Cafe
• Urbe
• Xochi

This generous offer provides voters with a refreshing way to celebrate their civic participation after visiting the polls.

Pizza and More at Home Slice

Home Slice (3701 Travis) is offering Texas voters who have cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Election a free slice of pizza. The pizzeria has extended this offer through Election Day, giving voters plenty of time to claim their complimentary slice after performing their civic duty.

Burger and Cocktail Specials

For those craving savory options, Jethro's Cocktail Lounge (95 Tuam) is providing half-priced smash burgers all day on Election Day to customers showing their "I Voted" sticker. Meanwhile, Kazzan Ramen (191 Heights) is offering a sweet treat with free mochi ice cream to those who present their voting stickers on November 5.

Beverage Offers at Lazy Dog Restaurants

Guests visiting Lazy Dog Restaurants at multiple Houston locations can receive a free handcrafted nonalcoholic beverage with any entrée purchase when they show their "I Voted" sticker. The free beverage options include lemonades, twisted sodas, sparkling refreshers, and pick-me-ups, featuring varieties such as Huckleberry Lemonade, Cucumber Lemon Sparkling Refresher, and Twisted Orange Fanta with Vanilla Bean Cream.

Coffee Compliments

Voters looking for a caffeine boost can enjoy free coffee at several Houston establishments. MAVEN Coffee & Cocktails, with locations at 1717 Allen and 1501 Silver, offers a free cup of drip coffee to those who show their "I Voted" sticker. Additionally, Mañana Coffee is providing complimentary coffee to voters at both of its locations through Election Day.

Austin's Election Day Dining Deals

Austin's restaurant scene is equally enthusiastic about encouraging voter participation, with numerous establishments offering complimentary food and drink options to those with "I Voted" stickers. The capital city's dining options span from breweries to ice cream shops, providing diverse ways to celebrate voting.

Brewery Appreciation

Austin Beerworks is offering a free beer at both of its brewery locations on Election Day to people who present their voting stickers. Meanwhile, Meanwhile Brewing (3901 Promontory Point Drive) is providing 15 percent off tabs through Election Day with proof of sticker. Oddwood Ales (3108 Manor Road, MLK) is giving out a free beer to early voters with stickers through Friday, November 1.

Sweet Treats

For those with a sweet tooth, several Austin establishments are offering complimentary desserts. Kessho, with chocolate and gelato trucks at 601 West Live Oak Street (Bouldin Creek) and 7800 South First Street (Far South Austin), is offering a free scoop of vanilla, mango, or ube gelato to people with voting stickers. Lick Honest Ice Creams, at all locations, is providing a free topping to people with voting stickers.

Mochinut and Rosen's Bagels

Mochinut, a mochi doughnut bakery located at Hana World Market (1700 West Parmer Lane, Unit 100, Scofield Farms), is offering a free doughnut to people with their proof of voting. Rosen's Bagels (11101 Burnet Road, Suite A100, North Burnet) is going beyond the bagel itself by offering free bagels with dairy-free cream cheese brand Violife to the first 100 people, with schmear flavors including Texas pecan pie or roasted lime-poblano peppers-scallions.

Soup and Tex-Mex Options

Soup Peddler, with all locations of the soup and sandwich shop, is offering a free cup of soup to people with stickers through Election Day. However, the restaurant paused this deal as of November 2. Trudy's Tex-Mex is offering a free queso to people with voting stickers on Election Day at its North Shoal Creek location (8820 Burnet Road).

Additional Election Day Deals

Beyond restaurant and bar offers, several other businesses and services are providing Election Day incentives for voters in Texas.

Transportation Discounts

Uber is offering a 50 percent discount to voters to get to their polling place as long as they use the ride code VOTE24. For those preferring food delivery, Uber Eats is offering 25 percent off orders (up to $15 discount) with a minimum order of $25.

The Legal Context of Voter Freebies

It's important to note that while offering free food and drinks specifically for voting is technically illegal, even if nonpartisan, businesses have found legal workarounds. Many establishments offer their deals to everyone, not just voters, or tie the offers to nonpartisan "I Voted" stickers rather than to the act of voting itself. These approaches allow businesses to encourage civic participation without running afoul of election laws.

Conclusion

The 2024 Presidential Election in Texas has inspired numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses to offer special deals and freebies to voters. From Houston's free margaritas at Hugo Ortega's restaurants to Austin's complimentary beers at local breweries, voters have plenty of options to celebrate their civic participation. Whether enjoying a free slice of pizza at Home Slice, a scoop of ube gelato at Kessho, or a discounted ride to the polls with Uber, Texas voters can find numerous ways to be rewarded for exercising their democratic rights. As Election Day approaches on November 5, voters should remember to hold onto their "I Voted" stickers to take advantage of these appreciation offers across the state.

Sources

1. Houston Press: Things to Do, Vote and Earn Freebies and Deals from Houston Restaurants and Bars
2. Houston Eater: Election 2024: Where to Find Free Food and Discounts for Texas Voters in Houston
3. Fox 7 Austin: Election Day 2024: Voted sticker discounts, perks from local businesses in Austin, Texas
4. Austin Eater: Election Day 2024: Texas voting specials, free food & drinks at Austin restaurants
5. Time Out Texas: Free things you can get with I voted sticker Texas 2024