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Reward for voting: Free coffee, donuts & more

Posted Nov 03 2008, 05:13 PM by Karen Datko
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As if we needed more incentive to go to the polls, some companies are offering Election Day freebies to people who vote (and snagging gratis publicity while they're at it).

A Starbucks coffee and a Krispy Kreme donut aren't the only freebies on our list. Here are the details we could find about voter perks and other special Nov. 4 offers:

    • Free 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks. Flash your "I voted" sticker as proof, or simply tell the clerk you cast a ballot.

    • Free coffee at Eat'n Park restaurants in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia -- three hotly contested states -- after you vote. 

    • Free scoop of ice cream between 5 and 8 p.m. at participating Ben & Jerry's for everyone willing to wait in line once this news gets out, whether they voted or not.

    • A free star-shaped donut with red, white and blue sprinkles at Krispy Kreme retail outlets for those with proof that they voted.

    The Election Day list, according to USA Today, includes a free beer for voters at Todd Conner's in Baltimore and free chicken tenders for the first 300 customers, voters and nonvoters, at Shane's Rib Shack restaurants.

    A chain of shops called Babeland will offer a free sex toy to those who showed up at the polls, MSNBC reports. 

    Also check locally for additional deals. For instance, many restaurants around the country are advertising special election night discounts and freebies.

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    Comments

     

    I encourage everyone to note that it is illegal (in fact, a felony!) to provide or accept any tangible reward for voting or registering to vote.

    "Persons must not pay, offer to pay or accept payment for voting, registering to vote, withholding their vote, or voting for or against any candidate in any election that includes a federal candidate."

    [ CITE: 42 U.S.C. 1973i(c), 18 U.S.C. 597, 608(b) ]

    jp (Posted 11.04.08 4:30 PM ) Report Abuse

    Already two free cups of coffee at Starbucks.  I love free stuff.

    donna (Posted 11.04.08 4:48 PM ) Report Abuse

    Free coffee, donuts, and ice cream too!

    Where in October were you

    When markets fell and we were in despair?

    Now Election Day and there's electricity in the air

    Or is it just the freebies that make us care?

    Whatever, I just like to say - God Bless Us One and All!

    And here's to the next four years - free coffee?  Make mine a tall!

    kathryn nagelberg (Posted 11.04.08 7:14 PM ) Report Abuse

    None of these establishments is trying to use the free stuff to influence voters to vote for a particular candidate: Getting the free stuff doesn't depend on voting for or against anyone. When I went to get my free coffee nobody working there asked who I voted for.  

    It's a marketing gimmick: They hope those coming for the free stuff will ADD something onto the order (like getting a scone with that coffee).

    Of course, if the only reason a person goes to vote is to get that free stuff, that person really needs, IMO, to reassess their priorities.

    Someone posted something about not using anything petroleum based? Um, many plastics, including those used in the medical field are petroleum based. What would the poster have hospitals use other than plastics? Glass? Rubber? Aluminum? What about all those chemicals we use everyday that in some way involved petroleum?

    kitty (Posted 11.04.08 8:50 PM ) Report Abuse

    Thanks, Starbucks, for pimping out my vote!

    Duh (Posted 11.04.08 9:16 PM ) Report Abuse

    Free coffee and a donut? You people sell out your votes way too low.

    I got a new deck on my house and a Viking grill, for crying out loud. Where's the ambition?!

    Sen. Ted Stevens (Posted 11.04.08 9:19 PM ) Report Abuse

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