Election Day Freebies And Deals Food Rides And Discounts Available Nationwide

Election Day has become not only a day for civic participation but also an opportunity for various companies to offer freebies and discounts to encourage voter turnout. The tradition of Election Day promotions has evolved over the years, with businesses across different sectors providing incentives to voters and poll workers alike. While the search query specifically references 2016 in Cortez, CO, the available source material documents more recent Election Day promotions from 2020 and 2024. This article examines the various freebies and deals offered by companies during recent Election Days, including food and beverage items, transportation discounts, and special promotions for poll workers.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Food and beverage establishments have traditionally been among the most generous providers of Election Day freebies. These promotions typically aim to encourage civic participation while simultaneously driving foot traffic to their locations.

Krispy Kreme has established itself as a consistent Election Day participant, offering free original glazed doughnuts at participating U.S. locations. The North Carolina-based chain provides these treats along with "I Voted" stickers while supplies last. Notably, Krispy Kreme does not require recipients to prove they actually cast their ballots, making the promotion accessible to all customers. The brand's leadership has stated that "participating in our democracy should be celebrated," framing the promotion as a civic celebration rather than a transaction.

McDonald's has offered different promotions during recent Election periods. In one instance, the fast-food chain provided new pastry items with the purchase of a hot or iced coffee through its mobile app. The offer, available once per day, included items from the McCafé Bakery lineup such as apple fritters, blueberry muffins, and cinnamon rolls. This promotion ran through the Election Day period and extended for several days afterward.

Several coffee and quick-service restaurant chains have also participated in Election Day promotions:

• Biggby Coffee has offered buy-one-get-one-free deals or $1 off any drink up to 24 ounces at participating locations
• Boston Market has provided free sliders from 9 p.m. to close nationwide on Election Day, with no purchase necessary
• Bobo's, an oat bar brand, has distributed 2,000 coupons for free oat bars to those who voted. Customers could register to receive a coupon by mail by filling out a form on the company's website
• Tim Hortons has extended free dark roast coffee to Tims Rewards members between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. EST through November 8
• Enlightened has offered a coupon for free ice cream to anyone who mentions the word "vote" and tags the brand on Instagram stories

Some establishments have tied their promotions to proof of voting:

• Lazy Dog restaurants have provided free non-alcoholic drinks with an entree purchase to customers with an "I Voted" sticker
• Yogurtland has offered a 15 percent discount to in-store customers who show their "I Voted" sticker
• Vitality Bowls has provided 20% off all açaí bowls with "proof of voting" at participating locations

Transportation Discounts

Transportation companies have also joined in Election Day promotions, recognizing the importance of providing accessible voting options to citizens. These discounts aim to remove barriers to voting by making transportation to polling locations more affordable.

Ride-sharing apps have consistently offered Election Day discounts:

• Lyft has provided 50% off one ride up to $10 on Election Day to any polling location or dropbox using the code 2020VOTE. The company has also included its network of bikes and scooters in select cities within this offer
• Uber has offered 50% off roundtrip rides to the polls, with discounts up to $7 each way or up to $14 for the two trips. The discounts are automatically applied when using the in-app polling finder feature
• Lime scooter and bike rides to the polls have been made free by entering the code VOTE2024 at checkout through Election Day

Traditional transportation providers have also participated:

• Hertz has offered a free day of car rental when booking for two or more days on Monday or Tuesday, framing the promotion as a way to "perform your civic duty." This offer is valid at participating neighborhood locations and requires a 24-hour advance reservation
• Several cities and communities, including Los Angeles and Indianapolis, Indiana, have provided free rides on Election Day through their local transit systems

Discounts for Poll Workers

Recognizing the significant contribution of poll workers to the electoral process, many businesses have offered special discounts and freebies to these essential volunteers. These promotions typically require proof of service, such as a badge or official identification.

• CAVA and Zoës Kitchen have provided free meals to poll workers with proof of badge in-person
• Chopt Creative Salad Co. has offered free meals to badged poll workers
• Shake Shack has provided free sandwiches, including the Shackburger and the Chick'n Shack, to poll workers from Sunday through Election Day with proof of badge. This offer is only valid for in-shack ordering

Post-Election Deals

Some companies extend their promotions beyond Election Day itself, offering deals in the days following the election:

• Natural Grocers has offered free chocolate bars to members of its loyalty program from Thursday through November 7. Available brands include Alter Eco, Natural Grocers Brand, Chocolove, Endangered Species, and Theo Chocolate
• Wawa has launched "Free Coffee Tuesdays," held every Tuesday in November and December for Wawa Rewards members. New members needed to register by 8 p.m. on Election Day to access this deal, which provides self-serve hot beverages up to 24 ounces

Digital and Service Promotions

Beyond food and transportation, other companies have offered Election Day promotions for their services:

• DoorDash has provided free delivery on all orders with a $15 minimum placed on Election Day with promo code VOTE. For DashPass subscribers who already have zero delivery fees on orders over $12, DoorDash has offered 10% off orders with code DPVOTE
• Grubhub has featured more than 30 discounts in the Perks tab in its app, including offers for 7-Eleven, Burger King, and California Pizza Kitchen
• Smart & Final has offered 10% off the entire purchase with a coupon posted on social media through Election Day, with some exclusions applying and a maximum discount of $50
• White Castle has provided $4 off orders of $20 or more (or $5 off orders of $30 or more in New Jersey and New York) through delivery platforms. Additionally, White Castle has closed all locations from 7 to 11 a.m. to allow employees time to vote

Regional and Location-Specific Considerations

While many Election Day promotions are nationwide, availability can vary by location. The source material emphasizes that consumers should check with their local establishments before heading out to ensure participation. This is particularly important for:

• Chain restaurants with franchise locations that may choose not to participate
• Transit systems that may offer free rides only in specific cities
• Retailers with location-specific policies

Some companies have provided tools to help customers find participating locations:

• Krispy Kreme has directed customers to find their nearest participating shop
• Yogurtland has offered a store locator for its more than 200 locations across the country

Conclusion

Election Day has evolved into an occasion for various businesses to offer promotions that encourage civic participation while simultaneously engaging with customers. The available source material documents numerous freebies and discounts across different sectors, including food and beverage items, transportation services, and special offers for poll workers. While these promotions have become a tradition in recent election cycles, availability varies by location and year. The source material specifically documents promotions from 2020 and 2024, with no information about 2016 or location-specific details for Cortez, CO. Consumers interested in Election Day deals should check with local establishments and verify current promotions, as offers may change or vary by location.

Sources

1. Election Day Freebies and Deals - USA Today
2. Companies Giving Out Election Day Freebies - Forbes
3. Election Day Freebies and Deals - AARP