Vote and get free donuts, coffee, ice cream and more!

As if there weren't enough reasons already to vote tomorrow (November 4, 2008), you can also get free food for voting!

Krispy Kreme is giving away a free donut to all customers who wear an "I Voted" sticker. This promotion appears to be valid all day long, however, I'd call your local store to make sure they are participating. (More details here.)

Starbucks is giving away a free 12 oz. tall coffee to all customers who come in and say that they voted. (More details here.) This promotion appears to be valid all day long, however, I'd call your local store to make sure they are participating.

Chick-Fil-A is giving away a free chicken sandwich to all customers who wear a "I Voted" sticker. This promotion appears to be up to individual stores and is not a nationwide thing. Call your local store to see if they are participating.

Ben and Jerry's is giving away a free scoop of ice cream from 5-8 p.m. to everyone who votes. (More details here. Thanks, Diaper Diaries!)

Eat N' Park locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia are giving away a free cup of coffee to all customers who wear an "I Voted" sticker. Available 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (More details here. Thanks, Finance Gets Personal!)

Shane's Rib Stack is giving away a free meal--3-piece chicken tenders, fries, and a 20 oz. drink--to all customers who wear an "I Voted" sticker. (More details here. Thanks, Finance Gets Personal!)

Schuler’s Books is giving away a free cup of coffee (locations in the West Michigan area only). (Thanks, Diaper Diaries!)

Did I miss any others? If so, leave a comment or shoot me an email!

As always, I recommend you call your stores ahead of time before visiting them. Even if a promotion is listed clearly on the corporate website, it is good to double-check that your store is on-board with the promotion. Now get out there and exercise your civic duty!

By the way, it probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: I know that the majority of us likely have some strong opinions and thoughts on the election--many which are widely differing. Since we try to keep an upbeat, helpful place here, please kindly save your thoughts and comments on the election for other forums. Thanks so much!

Comments

[becky]

I was in Dairy Queen yesterday and saw a sign for a free cone if you had a sticker or photo of you voting. I wouldn't recommend the picture thing though...you are not allowed to take pictures in the polling location (at least in Ohio I know that you can't).

[Andrea]

Well darn!

Aaron and I voted early - we knew this would be one of "those" elections, and after having an 11 hour wait in '04 to vote, I was not going to relive that.

Glad I'm done, and I'll tell you, I'll be even gladder when it is Wednesday.

[Recessionista]

If you voted early (kudos, btw!) several of these places will take your word or your voter registration card instead of the "I Voted" sticker. And ditto to what Becky said, don't just whip out your camera or cell phone in the voting booth unless your state is ok with it!

[Donna]

I voted early too and was bummed when I did not get my sticker. I would have saved it to hope for some freebies!

Just a little info for all of you...
The lady explained the machine to me and when she was done. I asked her a simple question....
"When I finish voting, does the machine send a signal to my cable company so they know they can take all the commericals about the election off my tv?"

She giggled and said "Sorry, but no." Just thought I would let others know :)

[Honey]

I've never even heard of an "I voted" sticker. Do they give them out at the voting locations? I early voted, but I am going to try for some free lunch tomorrow:)

[Davonne]

I don't know about other Chick-Fil-A's, but ours has Family night every Tuesday night. There's a free activity (tomorrow night is a voting game), and you get one free kids meal on with a purchase of one adult meal.

I just called our chick-fil-a and they said they're not giving away free sandwiches, but they're giving away free milkshakes tomorrow.

Pair that with a free activity, free kids meals, and it's a fairly cheap family night!

[lylah ledner]

wow...how fun....but what about us who voted early by mail? guess we get to rejoice with those who'll get the fun stuff for voting on tuesday! sweet.

[Julie]

I just called our Shane's Rib Shack and they said, no, that they are not giving away 'free' chicken meals but that it will only be $5 per meal.

Maybe some of the other locations are doing it, but not mine.

**********************
Julie: It's right on their website so I would guess it would be nationwide, unless these are individually owned? You might contact someone at the corporate office to check.

[Digital Mariner]

I've voted every year since I turned 18, and have never gotten an "I Voted" sticker. It makes me sad every time. Moreso now knowing I could get free stuff with it. :(

[iclipqs]

Our Hardees is giving $1 off combo meals with an "I voted" sticker.

[LANA]

Isn't it sad that people need persuasion such as these to vote?

[50s Housewife]

Oh, I voted early too! I don't think I need the donuts, but I sure would like some of that coffee. :)

[Mary]

At Woodstock's Pizza in California (I'm pretty sure all locations are doing this), you can get a free 8" Cinnabread with a sticker or voting receipt from the bottom of your paper ballot. (http://www.woodstockschico.com/).

[Sarah]

Free cup of coffee at Joe Mugs inside Books-A-Million with I Voted sticker.

[Melissa]

Oregon is all vote by mail, so no "I Voted" stickers for us. Hopefully others will be able to take advantage of all the freebies today!

[Jenn's an Ice Cream Maker]

I love the promotion of voting by these companies...boy! You could get a full free meal just for voting!

[Leah]

There is an article in the AJC this morning saying these freebies for voting are illegal in Georgia.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/11/04/nufreebies.html

[Cassandra]

I am going to Starbucks and getting my free coffe after I go vote in a couple of hours! Too bad we don't have any of the other places around here.

[Jessica]

How can we find out if the freebies are illegal anywhere else besides Georgia?

*********************
Money Saving Mom here: From what I understand, the companies are still honoring the freebies, they just can't accompany them with the requirement that you vote. At least at Starbucks, they have announced that anyone can get the free 12 oz. coffee today--whether or not you've voted.

[Andrea]

I doubt people are waiting 2(or more) hours as I did(and we never have to wait that long) to vote just because they are getting a free coffee or donut. I understand the Federal Election commission has questioned whether it is legal- so at my Starbucks, I saw people with "I voted" stickers paying for drinks and people w/o getting free coffee. I would love the free Ben and Jerry's but will be working at the polls starting at noon and given the turnout here in the East- I doubt I will be done by 8 or have interest or energy for ice cream. Let's just all be grateful we have the right to vote in open and free elections.

[Tracy]

I took my 3 kiddos with me to vote today and they each got a sticker, as well as me. At Krispy Kreme they informed me it was only for adults with the sticker. I ended up buying 2 more doughnuts...not a frugal deal.

[Shannon Arrowood]

I am in TN and found out no Nashville area Chick-Fil-A's are giving out free sandwiches. They said a bogus email was sent out, and something about it being against the law? :-(

[Candace]

We got our free chicken at Chick-fil-a! Yummy

I plan to get a cup of Decaf from Starbucks this afternoon!

Thanks for letting us know about the freebies!

[Jane]

My mom voted early and left her sticker on her jacket, which she left at my brother's house, then came down to visit at my house for a few days. So she didn't have hers today when we went to Krispy Kreme to get my donut. She said "I'll buy one, since I lost my sticker," and the guy said, "Don't worry about it," and gave her a free one anyway!
Went to Chickfila for lunch but the line was out the door and left. Then tried Shane's Rib Shack and had the same problem. With my sleepy two year old in the back seat, we decided it wasn't worth it and went home.

[Allie Gower]

We are giving away brads and stickers in store to all who vote, along with a 25% discount.
Send us an e-mail with online orders and we'll do the same!
Croppinsville.com

[CJ]

Giving things of value in exchange for voting is illegal. Starbucks is giving free coffee to everyone, and I bet the other businesses are too. So, go get it! Especially if you did actually vote early, etc.
CJ