The country is voting today. On this election day while the U.S. is zooming in for the results of the exit polls some have already heard that companies are distributing free food, coffee and stuff on election day. David Feingold from barelypolitical.com explains how to get free stuff on election day.
"Think there is no reward for voting? Guess again. There are two yummy delicious ways that you can get free stuff just for voting. First Ben and Jerry's is giving away free Ice Cream and Starbucks is giving away free Coffee. Also, we are not advocating this, but you can get more then one, just go to different stores and you can eat and drink for free all day long."
The free stuff on election day mentality has resulted from Starbucks free coffee video ad. The company said it will distribute a free cup of coffee the those who voted.
"According to a Starbucks video ad on the coffee seller's Web site (and seen as an advertisement on various videos online, including Saturday Night Live), people just have to walk into a Starbucks location and say "I voted," and they will be given a free tall cup of brewed coffee."
Then Ben & Jerry joined the Free Stuff and Food on Election Day frey and offered free ice cream in participating Ben & Jerry Ice Cream stores.
"Ben & Jerry's wants to celebrate democracy by giving you a free scoop of ice cream. Free Ben and Jerrys for voting is a way that the Vermont based ice cream company hopes to get out the vote on election day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008."
USA Today has a list of the Free Stuff and Food On Election Day and who is distributing what today.
Due to possible conflict with election laws in various states, most are not requiring proof of voting. The free offers:
•Coffee. Starbucks expects to hand out "hundreds of thousands" of free 12-ounce drip coffees (valued at about $1.75 each), says spokeswoman Jenny McCabe. "If everyone who votes comes in for a free cup of coffee, we'll have some lines," she says.
•Doughnuts. Some 85 of Krispy Kreme's 231 locations in the U.S. will hand out star-shaped, red-white-and-blue sprinkled doughnuts "while supplies last," says spokesperson Dana Hughens. The chain will give out about 200,000 doughnuts valued at 99 cents each. "People are definitely talking about the brand as a result of this," she says.
•Ice cream. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in each time zone, Ben & Jerry's ice cream shops will hand out single-scoop ice cream cones (a $3.40 value). "What better way to encourage people to be politically active than to give away free ice cream?" asks spokeswoman Liz Brenna.
•Sandwiches. In a local market promotion, several hundred of the nation's 1,400 Chick-fil-A stores will hand out $2.70 chicken sandwiches to adults who show proof that they voted, says spokesman Jerry Johnston.
•Phone calls. Credo Mobile, a wireless company that donates money to progressive causes for calls its customers make, will offer free outbound calls to current customers during polling hours in their states. The cost could be about $250,000, says spokeswoman Becky Bond.
•Discount haircuts. Then, there's Cristophe Schatteman, a top hair stylist known for giving former president Bill Clinton a $200 haircut on Air Force One. His salons in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Beverly Hills and Orange County, Calif., will offer all services — including haircuts — at half price today. A $500 haircut from Cristophe will go for $250.
Keep in mind that some of the election day free stuff and food will be given based on availability.
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