2018 Election Day Freebies Complete Guide To I Voted Sticker Promotions

The 2018 midterm elections saw numerous businesses and organizations offer incentives and freebies to encourage voter participation. These promotions ranged from complimentary food and beverages to retail discounts and transportation benefits. While specific details about Washington State offers are not available in the source material, this comprehensive guide covers the nationwide Election Day promotions that were available to voters across the United States.

Food and Drink Promotions

Numerous food and beverage establishments offered special deals for voters displaying their "I Voted" stickers. These promotions spanned various categories including fast food, casual dining, coffee shops, and ice cream parlors.

Restaurant Chains

Several restaurant chains provided free items with proof of voting:

• Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered free cookies with any purchase on November 6-7 at participating locations. Unlike other promotions that required an "I Voted" sticker, Potbelly's deal was available to all customers, though they originally planned to tie it to the sticker.

• California Tortilla provided free chips and queso with any purchase when customers informed cashiers they had voted. This offer was valid in-store only at participating locations.

• Rubio's Coastal Grill offered a special Election Day promotion where customers could get an Original Fish Taco paired with any Mexican or craft beer for $5. Alternatively, customers could choose an à la carte option such as a $2 Fish Taco Especial or a $1.75 Original Fish Taco. All guests also received an "I Taco'd" sticker.

• Capriotti's Sandwich Shop gave $1 off any sub to customers showing a voting sticker on Election Day.

• Twin Peaks offered a free order of chips and queso with the purchase of a beverage to customers who brought their voting sticker to participating locations.

Coffee Shops and Cafes

Several coffee establishments provided free or discounted beverages to voters:

• Joe Coffee Company in New York City offered free 12-ounce cups of drip coffee to customers showing their "I Voted" sticker.

• Corner Bakery Cafe provided complimentary hand-roasted brewed coffee or cold brew with any purchase to customers wearing their "I Voted" sticker.

• Black Seed Bagels in New York City gave away complimentary Stumptown coffee with any purchase when customers showed their "I Voted" sticker.

• Birch Coffee in New York City offered free drip coffee to customers with an "I Voted" sticker, and no purchase was required.

• Toby's Estate Coffee in New York City provided $1 small drip coffees at all five locations on Election Day to customers wearing "I Voted" stickers.

Ice Cream Shops

Ice cream parlors also got in on the Election Day promotions:

• Jeni's Ice Creams encouraged political discourse by offering an extra free scoop of ice cream to customers who visited a scoop shop and let staff know they had voted.

• Baskin-Robbins provided a buy-one-get-one-for-99-cents deal on ice cream cones for customers who voted with friends, though they noted there was "no judgement if you decide to double-fist both by yourself."

Bakery and Sweet Treats

Several bakeries and dessert shops offered special Election Day deals:

• Baked By Melissa gave away free cupcakes to customers who visited a store with their "I Voted" sticker. For those not near a physical location, the company offered 10 percent off online orders at www.bakedbymelissa.com on November 6-7 with the promo code IVOTED2018.

• Bobo's offered a coupon for a free vegan, gluten-free oat bar to customers who shared that they voted on social media. To receive the coupon, customers needed to tag @eatbobos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and use the hashtag #GetOatTheVote, while supplies lasted.

Beverage Companies

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

Fast Food Specials

• Chick-fil-A offered customers who could provide proof that they voted chicken sandwiches for just $2.70, according to company spokesman Jerry Johnston.

• Shake Shack gifted customers an order of free fries with any purchase when they showed their "I Voted" sticker to the cashier or used the code "ivoted" in the Shake Shack app.

Pizza and Food Delivery

• Pizza to the Polls, a non-profit organization, raised thousands of dollars to send free pizzas to voters waiting in long lines at polling stations. Voters could report their polling place online to receive free pizza delivery.

• One pizza chain offered free delivery on any pizza through its app and Doordash on November 6 for voters who reported their polling place online.

Retail Promotions

Several retail establishments offered special promotions for voters:

• ModCloth shut down its website and FitShop stores in Austin, Texas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. on Election Day to encourage customers and employees to vote. On November 7, customers could show store associates their "I Voted" sticker or social media post to receive a special limited-edition "I Voted" pin and ModCloth tote bag.

Transportation and Mobility Offers

Numerous transportation providers offered free or discounted services on Election Day:

Bike Sharing Programs

Several bike sharing systems provided free rides or day passes:

• Citi Bike and most Motivate programs offered a free day pass with the promo code BIKETOVOTE.

• Divvy in Chicago used the code VOTE18 for a free day pass.

• BIKETOWN in Portland, which has a vote-by-mail system, offered 30 minutes of free ride time with the code BIKE2VOTE.

Public Transit

Several public transit systems across the nation offered free rides:

• Los Angeles Metro system provided free rides on Election Day.

• Columbia, South Carolina's bus service the COMET offered free fares system-wide.

• The Metro in Houston provided free transportation.

• The Greensboro Transit Authority in North Carolina offered free fares system-wide.

Ride-Sharing Services

• Uber offered $10 off rides to the nearest local polling place.

• Lyft provided discounted rides to polling locations, though specific details were not included in the source material.

Cultural and Entertainment Offers

Several cultural institutions offered free admission or special promotions:

• The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City, which focuses on work from India, the Himalayas, and surrounding regions, offered free admission on Wednesday, November 7, with an "I Voted" sticker.

• The Field Museum in Chicago provided basic tickets completely free of charge for Illinois residents on Election Day, though regular admission is normally $24.

Service Industry Promotions

Several service providers offered special Election Day deals:

• Cristophe Schatteman Salons, known for celebrity clients like former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Brad Pitt, and Kate Hudson, offered 50 percent off hairstyle services (normally ranging in the $500s) at their Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, and Orange County locations on November 6.

• Credo Mobile provided customers with free outbound calls during the hours of open polling in their state, allowing voters to call friends or family while waiting in line to vote.

Promotional Strategies for Businesses

One source provided insights into how restaurants could structure Election Day promotions:

• Gift Card Promotions: Restaurants could offer a gift card as a prize in exchange for email addresses. For example, a $50 gift card could potentially collect 50 email addresses at approximately $1 per address, which represents a valuable customer acquisition cost.

• "I Voted" Sticker Freebies: Simple token items that stay with customers, such as free soft beverages or appetizers for tables where all guests have "I Voted" stickers. This approach sends the message that the business rewards voting without taking sides.

• Election Week Promotions: Restaurants could run promotions just on election night or during the entire election week to allow more people to vote and collect additional contact information.

• Themed Menu Items: Creating menu items with fun former POTUS names in the days leading up to the election. For example, a "Teddy Roosevelt" item could reference his reputation for being "a bit of a hothead."

How to Find and Use These Offers

For consumers looking to take advantage of Election Day promotions:

1. Verify Participation: Not all locations may participate in these promotions, so it's advisable to check with individual locations before visiting.

2. Bring Proof: Have your "I Voted" sticker available, as many promotions require proof of voting.

3. Check Timing: Some promotions were only available on Election Day (November 6), while others extended through November 7 or had specific time limitations.

4. Social Media Requirements: Some offers required posting on social media with specific hashtags or tagging certain accounts.

5. Online Codes: Several retailers and food establishments required specific promo codes for online discounts.

Conclusion

The 2018 midterm elections saw an impressive array of businesses and organizations offering incentives to encourage voter participation. These promotions ranged from complimentary food and beverages to retail discounts and transportation benefits. While specific details about Washington State offers are not available in the source material, this guide covers the nationwide promotions that were available to voters across the United States.

These Election Day freebies served as both incentives for civic participation and marketing opportunities for businesses. For consumers, they provided tangible benefits for exercising their right to vote, while for businesses, they offered opportunities to engage with customers and build brand loyalty during a significant national event.

As future elections approach, consumers can expect similar promotions, though specific offers and participating businesses may vary. The key to taking advantage of these deals is to stay informed about available promotions, verify participation at local locations, and bring appropriate proof of voting when required.

Sources

1. Election Day 2018 Freebies: Free Rides, Polls and Other Deals
2. These Election Day 2018 Deals Are Just Another Reason for You to Get Out and Vote
3. All the Free Food Deals You Can Get on Election Day 2018
4. 4 Ways Restaurants Can Build Election Season Promotions