Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Lime scooters rides and Johnny Rockets milkshakes are among the free items that notable companies will be handing out on Election Day to residents who cast their votes. Perhaps, the interesting fact about this move is that not all of them are requiring proof.
The Brands
Krispy Kreme will be giving out “I Voted” stickers and free original glazed doughnuts at selected U.S. shops on Tuesday, November 5, because according to its brand officer, Dave Skena, “participating in our democracy should be celebrated,” therefore recipients don’t have to prove they cast their ballots to get their freebie.
For the burger franchise, Johnny Rockets, it will be giving out free milkshakes together with any in-store purchase on Tuesday to diners who can prove that they had voted (Noted: an “I Voted” sticker counts).
Consequently, at Lazy Dog restaurants, customers who show their “I Voted” sticker will get a free non-alcoholic drink with an entree purchase.
Additionally, bistros at the furniture store Ikea will give out free frozen yogurt to shoppers on Tuesday as a way to “celebrate and support voting rights,” – theres a catch though, customers have to present a printed or electronic version of a special coupon.
Vehicle brand, Lime also offered voters the chance to take a free scooter or bike ride to the polls by entering the code VOTE2024 at checkout now through Tuesday.
The other companies offering election day discounts include: Lyft (where registered voters can get half off their ride share, bike share, or scooter ride between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time on Tuesday using the code VOTE24), Uber (where customers get 50% off rides to polling places during voting hours), and at Yogurtland, the frozen yogurt shop (where visitors with an “I Voted” sticker will get 15% off their purchase).
The Technicalities
While it is technically illegal under federal election law to provide incentives to vote, the law has outwardly never been enforced against companies.
In fact, according to according one expert told the New York Times in 2018, the giveaways become legal if they’re opened up to anyone on election day regardless of if they voted or not, just like Krispy Kreme’s promotion. But it’s legal to dole out the freebies in non-federal elections.
Why it matters
Over 55 million people have already cast their votes in the 2024 election via early in-person or mail-in voting. This figure is expected to triple by the end of Tuesday.
Approximately two-thirds of the voting-eligible population turned out for the 2020 presidential election, which is about 244 million Americans. If the voter turnout hits that high again, more than 161 million people will vote.
The race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris still remains tight, and the election will most likely be decided by the candidate that can win the most voters in these seven key swing states: Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
