Election Day 2020 Freebies And Deals For Voters Across America

The 2020 presidential election brought not only civic duty but also numerous opportunities for Americans to enjoy complimentary food, drinks, and discounts simply by exercising their right to vote. Businesses across the country offered special promotions to those who could show an "I Voted" sticker, creating a unique tradition of rewarding participation in the democratic process. From free doughnuts and coffee to discounted rides and delivery fees, these offers provided both incentives and celebrations for voters heading to the polls.

Food and Beverage Freebies for Voters

National chains and local restaurants alike participated in Election Day promotions, offering free items and special deals to voters who displayed their "I Voted" stickers. These offers extended across various food categories and price points, ensuring voters could find something to enjoy regardless of their preferences or location.

Krispy Kreme participated in the election tradition by offering one free doughnut of choice at participating locations to anyone who showed their "I Voted" sticker. The popular doughnut chain joined numerous other food establishments in encouraging civic participation through complimentary treats. Similarly, Great American Cookies offered one free cookie to customers who presented their "I Voted" sticker at participating shops, providing a sweet reward for voters.

For coffee lovers, multiple establishments offered free beverages. Barista Parlor locations provided free drip coffee to those with an "I Voted" sticker, with the offer valid all day on November 3, 2020. The 7-Eleven convenience chain offered free coffee of any size through its mobile app at participating stores. Additionally, 1951 Coffee Company distributed free drip coffee from its flagship location throughout Election Day, operating from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Several pizza and fast-food chains also got in on the voter appreciation trend. California Tortilla offered free chips and queso with any purchase, requiring customers to simply use one of three secret passwords: "I vote for queso," "Make queso great again," or "I'm with Queso." Pieology created a special "You Vote, You Pie" reward from November 1 to November 3, featuring an Election Day 2020 Bundle that included two 11-inch create-your-own pizzas and a dessert for $20.20.

In San Francisco, local establishments provided distinctive options for voters. Super Duper Burgers offered a free order of fries to any patron with an "I Voted" sticker, available at all Bay Area locations. Media Noche provided an off-menu freebie of "fuego fries" served with green sauce to voters with their stickers. Santino's Vino, a Pac Heights pizza and red sauce restaurant, offered a complimentary order of loukoumades (Greek fried dough with gelato, walnuts, raw honey, and cinnamon) with dinner purchases.

Bay Area voters had several additional options for Election Day dining. Balboa Cafe and its sister restaurant White Rabbit offered taco specials from 5-9 p.m., with Balboa serving two carnitas tacos with pineapple salsa for $5 and White Rabbit offering barbacoa tacos with tomatillo salsa for $2 each. Customers with "I Voted" stickers received an extra $2 off at both locations. Canela Bistro & Wine Bar provided an election night to-go menu for two for $99, which included two bottles of wine, veggies and labneh dip, Spanish cheeses, Catalan coca with vegetables, fried chicken drumettes, freshly-made bread, and an apple tart. While supplies lasted, they also included an election-themed Mad Libs book with orders placed by 5 p.m. on November 3.

For those planning to watch election results at home, several options were available. Wine country-based voters could order a special election night "happy meal" from chef Philip Tessier for $25, which included a fried chicken sandwich, black truffle fries, a chocolate chip cookie, and a soda, with pickup available between 5-8:30 p.m. on November 3.

Special Discounts and Promotions for Voters

Beyond free items, many businesses offered special discounts to voters, recognizing their civic contribution with reduced prices on various products and services. These promotions spanned retail, dining, and transportation sectors, providing multiple ways for voters to save.

Natural Grocers, the nation's largest family-operated natural and organic grocery retailer, offered customers a free chocolate bar for voting and additional discounts on non-food items from their supplements and body care departments. This promotion encouraged both participation in the democratic process and healthy lifestyle choices.

Bob Evans restaurant provided a 30% discount on any dine-in or carryout order after 2 p.m. on Election Day, with customers needing to obtain a special coupon to access the offer. This substantial discount made Election Day dining more affordable for voters looking to enjoy a meal after casting their ballots.

In Nashville, a retail store at 1006 Gallatin Ave offered 20% off the entire purchase for in-store visitors who showed proof of voting. The promotion, valid until November 3, allowed voters to stock up on CBD products while enjoying savings on their purchases.

World of Beer tavern encouraged voters to "come together over a pint of common good" by offering their first beer for $1 on November 8. This promotion extended the Election Day appreciation into the following week, giving voters additional time to take advantage of the offer.

Transportation Offers for Voters

Recognizing that access to polling places can be a barrier to voting, several transportation companies offered special discounts and free services on Election Day 2020. These initiatives aimed to ensure that all eligible voters could reach their polling stations without financial or logistical constraints.

Lyft provided a 50% discount on rides up to $10 for Election Day, with customers needing to use the code 2020VOTE when booking their ride. This promotion directly addressed a common barrier to voting, as Lyft noted that during the previous presidential election, an estimated 15 million eligible voters didn't go to the polls primarily because they lacked transportation.

Uber implemented a comprehensive voting assistance program through its app. The service featured an in-app function that helped users find their polling places and allowed them to request rides directly to those locations. For first-time customers, Uber offered $20 off their first ride with the promo code VOTETODAY, removing financial barriers to both transportation and app usage.

Public transportation also got involved in making voting accessible. WeGo Public Transit buses were completely free on Election Day, November 3, ensuring that voters without personal vehicles could still reach their polling places without cost. Nashville's WeGo system specifically aimed to eliminate transportation barriers as part of their commitment to civic participation.

Zipcar joined the effort with their #DRIVEtheVOTE initiative, making over 7,000 Zipcar vehicles free for members to use from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Election Day. This service particularly benefited voters who needed transportation during evening hours or who lived in areas with limited public transit options.

Special Offers for Poll Workers

While most promotions targeted voters, some businesses recognized the critical role played by poll workers who staffed voting locations on Election Day. These essential workers often faced long hours and challenging conditions, and several companies showed appreciation through complimentary offerings.

Shake Shack honored poll workers by offering a free burger to any badged poll worker who visited their locations. This recognition acknowledged the significant contribution these individuals make to the electoral process, often working extended hours to ensure voting ran smoothly.

Grubhub partnered with Seamless to provide up to 1,000 New York City poll workers with $40 to be used toward their next Seamless meal. The company explained that after validating poll worker submissions, they would send a redemption code that could be used with the service. This offer remained available for redemption until November 11, 2020, giving poll workers flexibility in when they could use their complimentary meal credit.

Digital and Delivery Services Promotions

With many Americans planning to watch election results from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several digital and food delivery services offered special promotions to facilitate at-home viewing parties and make Election Day more convenient for those staying home.

Grubhub provided exclusive Election Day deals from restaurant partners, helping voters enjoy food from their favorite establishments while staying home to watch election results. The platform offered free delivery on orders of $15 or more from participating restaurants including 7-Eleven, Boston Market, BurgerFi, Clean Juice, Del Taco, Luna Grill, and On the Border. Additional restaurants like Applebee's, Rubio's, and Wokcano offered free delivery on orders of $20 or more, while other participating establishments provided discounts on total orders.

Chobani partnered with Seamless to support poll workers, demonstrating how food companies could both reward voters and assist those facilitating the voting process. The collaboration provided tangible value to poll workers while promoting the brands' commitment to civic engagement.

COVID-19 Considerations and Safety Measures

The 2020 Election took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced how many businesses structured their promotions and how consumers could access offers. Several sources noted that officials in typical election night hot spots like San Francisco's Castro District encouraged people to stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Many businesses adapted their promotions to accommodate safety concerns, with an emphasis on takeout, delivery, and contact-free services. The increased availability of to-go options, such as Canela Bistro's election night menu and chef Philip Tessier's special election meal, reflected this trend toward at-home celebration rather than large gatherings.

Some businesses took additional precautions, with reports indicating that landlords in San Francisco boarded up storefronts at bars, restaurants, and businesses as an effort to avoid potential damage from civil unrest that might follow election results. This context underscored the unique circumstances surrounding the 2020 Election and how businesses balanced offering promotions with maintaining safety and security.

Regional Variations in Voter Offers

While many promotions were available nationally, numerous local and regional offers provided voters with distinctive benefits specific to their communities. These local initiatives demonstrated how businesses could connect with voters in meaningful ways while supporting their communities.

In the Bay Area, San Francisco restaurants offered unique promotions that reflected local flavors and preferences. The Dorian and Palm House restaurants provided Instagram-based promotions where voters who tagged the restaurants in "I Voted" posts received one-cent drinks—a 1-cent frosé at The Dorian or a 1-cent slushy at Palm House. These drinks, typically valued at $9.95, represented significant savings while encouraging social media engagement.

Nashville businesses developed region-specific promotions that resonated with local voters. The city's diverse restaurant and retail scene offered everything from coffee discounts to CBD savings, reflecting Nashville's unique character and the priorities of its residents.

These regional variations highlighted how Election Day promotions could be tailored to local tastes and needs, creating more meaningful connections between businesses and voters while still encouraging civic participation.

Conclusion

The 2020 Election brought forth an impressive array of freebies, discounts, and special offers for voters across the United States. From complimentary food and beverages to discounted transportation services, businesses demonstrated their support for civic engagement through these promotions. National chains like Krispy Kreme and 7-Eleven joined local establishments in creating a tradition of rewarding voters, making Election Day not just a day of civic duty but also an opportunity to enjoy special treats and savings.

The variety of offers available—from free doughnuts and coffee to discounted rides and delivery fees—ensured that voters from all backgrounds and preferences could find something to appreciate. These promotions also addressed practical barriers to voting, with transportation services offering discounted or free rides to polling places and public transit systems eliminating fares on Election Day.

As the country continues to navigate evolving circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic and changing social dynamics, the 2020 Election Day promotions showcased how businesses could adapt their offerings to meet current needs while still supporting democratic participation. Whether enjoyed at home or at a local establishment, these voter appreciation deals provided a sweet reward for civic engagement and demonstrated the unique ways businesses could contribute to the electoral process.

Sources

1. Election Night Deals and Freebies in the Bay Area
2. Election Day Deals and Freebies for Voters in Nashville
3. Krispy Kreme, Boston Market and Other Election Day Food Freebies
4. Election Day Freebies and Deals Across America