Voting may be a privilege and a civic duty, but this year it can also be delicious.
Three different national treat vendors are offering free samples of their wares tomorrow in honor of Election Day. Of course, none are asking how you vote—and two are not even requiring proof of a vote.
Starbucks said it would offer a free tall coffee to any customer who comes in on Tuesday and reports that they have voted.
The offer was touted in a spot that ran during last Saturday’s broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” and now runs on YouTube, where it has garnered 82,000 views and a wide range of comment, from sometimes profane political commentary to questions about whether that free drink can be a mocha cappuccino. (It’s can’t.)
Meanwhile, participating Krispy Kreme donut shops will offer customers sporting an “I Voted” sticker a free star-shaped donut with red, white and blue sprinkles. The star donuts will be produced only on Nov. 4 and will be restricted to one per customer. Some participating stores might offer round yeast-raised donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles instead.
Online, the traditional Krispy Kreme “hot light” sign signaling a new batch of donuts in stores—“Hot Now”—has been modified to an ad reading “Hot Vote Now.”
“Krispy Kreme encourages everyone to take part in this historical election and vote,” company chef Ron Rupocinski said in a release. “We can’t guarantee that your candidate of preference will win on Nov. 4, but we can guarantee that your right to voice your choice will be rewarded with a patriotic doughnut that will remind you just how tasty freedom really is.”
And ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is offering a free scoop of ice cream between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. “in celebration of democracy,” according to a page on the company Web site.
The Ben & Jerry’s page offers a link to a Facebook page with a special locator function listing 24 colleges and universities around the country where company reps will be scooping free Election Day ice cream in student unions and on campuses. Facebook profile pages have been created for each on-campus event with RSVP capability. Visitors can click to say that they will attend or can simply say they may show up for the promotion.
One complication to these and other offers of free goods for voters might come from a California statute that prohibits rewarding citizens for either voting or not voting in elections. The law, California elections Code section 18521(b), is meant to prevent voters from being bribed for their votes with money, food or alcohol.
Both Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s maintain that their offers comply with the California statute by avoiding requiring customers to prove that they voted, instead framing the promotions as celebrations of democracy.
“We want to thank you for voting by giving you a free scoop of ice cream,” reads the Ben & Jerry’s college site Facebook copy. “If you did not vote, we’ll give you a scoop anyway, but no complaining about the results…or the size of your scoop.”
At press time, Krispy Kreme had not responded to questions about its voting sticker-based promotion in California, where the chain maintains a number of outlets.
Finally, a Texas merchant of something other than food has found a way to tie into the electoral network. Dallas medical clinic New Look Laser Tattoo Removal is offering a free first treatment to customers who walk in on Nov. 4 looking to get rid of body art up to 4” by 4.”
Customers can redeem the offer by showing their “I Voted” sticker or their voter registration card, and simply by promising that they fully punched their chads. While the offer covers the first laser treatment, most tattoo removals require several visits, depending on the age, size and nature of the skin art. “Vote for a new president… and get a great new look,” reads the clinic Web site. “You can get change in the White House and change in your skin.”
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