Election Day 2018 Freebies And Deals In Houston Transportation Food And More

Election Day has become not only a time for civic participation but also an opportunity for businesses to offer special deals and freebies to encourage voter turnout. In 2018, numerous establishments across Houston and the broader United States provided incentives for citizens to exercise their right to vote. This article examines the various free transportation options, food and beverage deals, and other special offers available to voters in Houston during the 2018 Election Day.

Transportation Freebies for Houston Voters

Several transportation systems provided free rides on Election Day 2018 to make voting more accessible to all citizens. In Houston, the Metro system offered free fares system-wide on Election Day, removing a potential barrier for those needing to travel to polling stations. This initiative was part of a broader national trend where public transportation systems recognized the importance of facilitating voter access.

For those preferring alternative transportation methods, bike-sharing programs also participated in Election Day incentives. While specific Houston-based bike share codes weren't mentioned in the sources, other cities offered similar promotions. For instance, most Motivate bike programs provided a free day pass with the code BIKETOVOTE. Divvy riders in Chicago could use code VOTE18, and Portland's BIKE2VOTE code offered 30 minutes of free ride time. These programs likely had similar availability in Houston, though specific local codes weren't detailed in the provided sources.

Additional transportation options included: - Lime bikes and scooters offered free rides to and from polling places for up to 30 minutes with promo code LIME2VOTE18 - Zipcar provided $20 toward a future trip with an Election Day rental - Uber offered $10 off a single ride to the polls on Election Day with promo code VOTE2018 - Lyft offered 50 percent off rides to most voting locations

These transportation incentives were particularly valuable for voters who might otherwise face challenges reaching their polling stations, including those without personal vehicles, individuals with mobility issues, or those living in areas with limited public transit options.

Food and Drink Freebies for Houston Voters

Numerous food and beverage establishments participated in Election Day promotions, offering free items or discounts to customers who showed their "I Voted" sticker or otherwise demonstrated they had participated in the electoral process. These offers ranged from complimentary food items to special discounts and were available at various restaurant chains and local establishments across Houston.

Baked goods and desserts were particularly popular categories for Election Day promotions. Baked by Melissa offered a free cupcake with an "I Voted" sticker at their stores, while also providing 10 percent off online orders with promo code IVOTED2018. Krispy Kreme, though not specifically mentioned as having Houston locations, had a promotion where reward members could get two dozen doughnuts for $13 with an email coupon on Tuesday and Wednesday. The chain also offered to join their loyalty program for a free doughnut and future offers. ModCloth took a unique approach by shutting down their website and FitShop stores in Austin, Texas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. to encourage customers and employees to vote, then offering special "I Voted" pins and tote bags the next day to those who showed proof of voting.

Coffee and beverage chains also participated in the promotions. Corner Bakery Cafe offered a free brewed or cold brewed coffee (any size) with purchase by showing an "I Voted" sticker. Chameleon Cold-Brew provided a voucher for a free 10-ounce cold brew when posting a selfie with an "I Voted" sticker on Instagram, tagging @ChameleonColdBrew and using #FuelTheVote. Lemonade, a California-based chain, offered free lemonade with any purchase when wearing an "I Voted" sticker. Fatz Southern Kitchen provided free Fatz Famous Sweet Tea with purchase of an entrée when showing an "I Voted" sticker.

Fast-casual restaurants and sandwich shops were well-represented in the Election Day promotions. California Tortilla offered free chips and queso with any purchase when saying "I voted," though this was valid in-store only. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop provided $1 off any sub when showing a voting sticker. Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered a free cookie with any purchase on Tuesday and Wednesday, though the initial requirement for an "I Voted" sticker was later modified to simply "just ask" for the cookie. Jersey Mike's Subs was concluding their National Sandwich Day deal, offering $2 off any regular sub with a coupon that had been sent to email club members and posted on their Facebook page. Twin Peaks gave a free order of chips and queso with the purchase of a beverage when bringing a voting sticker.

Specialty food items were also part of the promotions. Rubio's Coastal Grill offered an Original Fish Taco paired with any Mexican or craft beer for $5, or à la carte options like a $2 Fish Taco Especial or $1.75 Original Fish Taco on Tuesday. All guests received an "I Taco'd" sticker in honor of Election Day. Jimboy's Tacos celebrated National Nacho Day by offering Ground Beef Nachos for $5.50 at participating locations.

Alcoholic beverage promotions were available at several establishments. Miller's Ale House offered the first beer for $1 when saying you voted, valid for a pint of domestic draft beer or non-alcoholic beverage. One offer was available per guest at participating locations in Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, with offers ending at 9 p.m. in Virginia. 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.

Houston-Specific Election Day Promotions

Several Houston-specific promotions were available for Election Day 2018. The Southwest Houston Fall Fair, organized by Alief Votes, featured free food, music, and other events at the Chinese Civic Center located at 5905 Sovereign Drive in Houston. This community event provided multiple incentives for voters to participate in the democratic process while enjoying local entertainment and cuisine.

Dave & Buster's in Houston offered a special promotion allowing visitors to enjoy half-price games all day after stopping by the polls. This incentive was particularly appealing to families and groups looking for entertainment after completing their civic duty.

McAlister's Deli provided a buy-one-get-one-free sandwich offer valid through November 9, though customers needed to be rewards members to utilize this deal. The extended duration of this promotion provided voters with additional flexibility in redeeming their offer.

Additional promotions that may have been available in Houston included: - Shake Shack offered free fries with any purchase when showing an "I Voted" sticker or using the code "ivoted" on the app - Several national chains with Houston locations participated in the broader Election Day promotions mentioned earlier

These Houston-specific promotions demonstrated local businesses' commitment to encouraging voter participation while also providing economic benefits to the community through increased patronage of local establishments.

Participation Requirements and Limitations

While many businesses offered Election Day promotions, there were various requirements and limitations that customers needed to be aware of. Most offers required proof of voting, typically in the form of an "I Voted" sticker, though some promotions only required mentioning that the customer had voted.

Several offers were valid only in-store and not applicable to online orders or delivery services. For example, California Tortilla's free chips and queso was explicitly noted as valid in-store only. Some promotions required additional actions beyond showing a voting sticker, such as social media posts with specific hashtags or tagging particular accounts.

Many offers had limited availability or were subject to expiration. Bobo's oat bar coupons were available "while supplies last," and some promotions were only valid on Election Day itself, though others extended through the following day or longer. Potbelly's cookie promotion, for instance, was available Tuesday and Wednesday, while McAlister's buy-one-get-one-free offer extended through November 9.

Some offers required membership or prior registration. Krispy Kreme's deal required joining their loyalty program, while McAlister's Deli promotion required being a rewards member. Jersey Mike's $2 off coupon had been sent to email club members and posted on their Facebook page.

Geographic limitations were also present for some offers. Miller's Ale House's $1 beer promotion was available only at participating locations in specific states: Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, with offers ending at 9 p.m. in Virginia.

Digital redemption methods varied across different promotions. Some required specific promo codes, such as BIKETOVOTE for bike shares or VOTE2018 for Uber rides. Others required social media engagement with specific hashtags and tags, like Chameleon Cold-Brew's requirement to tag @ChameleonColdBrew and use #FuelTheVote when posting an Instagram selfie.

These participation requirements and limitations highlight the importance of carefully reading the terms of each promotion and understanding how to properly redeem offers to ensure voters could take full advantage of the available incentives.

Community Initiatives Beyond Commercial Promotions

Beyond individual business promotions, several community organizations and local groups organized events to encourage voter participation and celebrate Election Day. The Southwest Houston Fall Fair organized by Alief Votes represented one such initiative, offering free food, music, and other events at the Chinese Civic Center in Houston.

Community events like these serve multiple purposes: they provide direct incentives for voting, create a festive atmosphere around the electoral process, and strengthen community bonds by bringing people together for a common purpose. By offering free food and entertainment, these events remove potential barriers to voting, such as the need to choose between civic duty and other obligations like work or family responsibilities.

Educational components were also likely present at many community events, with organizations providing information about voting procedures, candidate positions, and the importance of democratic participation. These educational elements help inform voters and promote more meaningful engagement with the electoral process.

The timing and location of community events were strategically planned to maximize accessibility. The Southwest Houston Fall Fair, for example, was held at a central location with likely good transportation access, making it easier for residents to attend after voting or before heading to the polls.

Community initiatives like these complement commercial promotions by creating a broader culture of civic engagement and demonstrating the collective value placed on voting. While businesses offer individual incentives, community organizations foster a sense of shared responsibility and celebration around the democratic process.

Strategic Business Considerations for Election Day Promotions

The widespread adoption of Election Day promotions by businesses in 2018 reflects several strategic considerations beyond simple goodwill. These promotions offered companies opportunities to enhance brand image, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and build customer loyalty during a period of heightened public awareness.

For many businesses, Election Day promotions served as a form of cause-related marketing that aligned with their brand values. By encouraging civic participation, companies positioned themselves as community-minded organizations invested in the democratic process. This alignment with democratic values can enhance brand perception among consumers who prioritize social and civic engagement.

The timing of these promotions also offered strategic advantages. Election Day typically occurs during a period when consumer spending patterns may vary based on seasonal factors. By offering special deals, businesses could potentially stimulate demand during what might otherwise be a slower period.

Social media integration was another strategic element of many promotions. Offers like Chameleon Cold-Brew's Instagram promotion with specific hashtags and tags leveraged user-generated content to extend the reach of their marketing efforts. When customers posted with voting-related content and brand tags, they essentially became brand ambassadors while simultaneously demonstrating their civic participation.

The geographic distribution of promotions also revealed strategic considerations. While many offers were national in scope, some were regionally targeted based on market presence and customer demographics. Businesses with multiple locations across different states could tailor their promotions to specific regional preferences and regulations.

Employee participation was another strategic consideration for some businesses. ModCloth's decision to close their website and stores on Election Day demonstrated a commitment to enabling employee voting, which could enhance employee morale and loyalty while also setting a positive example for customer engagement.

Long-term customer relationships were likely a factor in designing these promotions. Offers that required loyalty program membership or email signups, like Krispy Kreme's, provided businesses with opportunities to expand their customer base and foster ongoing engagement beyond Election Day itself.

These strategic considerations highlight how Election Day promotions function as more than simple giveaways—they represent multifaceted marketing approaches that balance immediate incentives with longer-term business objectives.

The Impact of Election Day Promotions on Voter Behavior

The proliferation of Election Day freebies and deals raises questions about their impact on voter behavior and participation. While the primary goal of these promotions is to encourage voting, their effectiveness can be understood through several lenses.

Accessibility is a key factor in how these promotions may influence voter behavior. By offering free transportation options and food incentives, businesses remove potential barriers to voting that might otherwise prevent some individuals from participating. This is particularly relevant for low-income voters who might face financial constraints that could discourage voting.

The psychological impact of incentives should also be considered. The combination of civic duty and personal reward creates a positive reinforcement mechanism that may motivate some voters who might otherwise be apathetic or disengaged. The immediate gratification of free food or discounts can make the act of voting feel more rewarding.

Social influence may play a role as well. When individuals see businesses and community organizations promoting voting through incentives, it may create a social norm around civic participation that further encourages voter turnout. The public nature of "I Voted" stickers also creates visible social proof of participation.

However, it's important to note that these