Election Day 2012 freebies: deals on food, travel, and…yoga?
Election Day 2012 deals bring whole new meaning to the phrase 'vote with your wallet.' Find out who's offering what in this guide to Election Day 2012 discounts.
Madison United Methodist Church precinct worker Bob Shirley, hands off an "I Voted" sticker to a voter in this March 2012 file photo. That little sticker can give voters access to a wide range of Election Day freebies and deals on food, travel, and more.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP/File
It took hours of waiting in line in the cold (in Massachusetts) and rain (in Florida), but you’ve finally cast your vote. Why not celebrate by partaking in some good old-fashioned American consumerism? Here’s a roundup of Election Day 2012 freebies and promotional deals, on everything from waffle fries to rental cars. We’ll also take a look at the online stores for President Obama and Mitt Romney, for last minute deals on campaign gear.
Food
-White Castle is offering a free order of sweet potato fries when you show your “I Voted” sticker at the counter. You can also get a coupon for a free order of small fries when you vote for “Team Crinkle Cut” or “Team Sweet Potato” on White Castle’s Facebook page.
-Participating Einstein Bros. Bagels locations are offering a free bagel with schmear to customers with an “I Voted” sticker.
-Olive Garden customers with an “I Voted” sticker can get a free Dolcini dessert with the purchase of an entrée.
-At Tim Horton’s Café & Bake Shop, voters and non-voters alike can get a free doughnut with the purchase of any beverage. The chain also has a promotion later in the week, offering free doughnuts to veterans on Nov. 11. And if the election results make you want to flee the country, take heart: Tim Horton’s is headquartered and has over 3,000 locations in Canada.
-Frozen yogurt giant Pinkberry is having fans post photos and vote on their favorite flavor on Twitter under the hashtag #pinkthevote. Tomorrow, 10 winners will be chosen for a free small frozen yogurt with toppings.
-In the longest-running of the various Election Day promotional gimmicks, Boston Market has been hawking its new Market Bowls with its own “election season” since September. The choice is between the “right wing” turkey bowl and the “left wing” chicken bowl, which each come compete with their own campaign platforms on Boston Market’s website for the promotion. Wednesday, the chain is offering a buy one, get one free deal on Market Bowls with the purchase of a drink. The deal requires a coupon that will be available on the restaurant’s website or Facebook page.
-Participating Hooters locations are offering a free appetizer with a $10 entrée purchase to customers with “I Voted” stickers.
Travel
-JetBlue thinks your candidate losing doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In the airline’s now-closed Election Protection 2012 poll, participants could vote for their presidential choice. Once the election is called, JetBlue will select 1,006 winners who voted for the losing candidate to win free flights out of the country and to the Caribbean – to destinations including the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, St. Maarten, or Grand Cayman.
-ZipCar, the car-sharing company, is offering half-off hourly rates during polling hours as a part of its “Zip to the Polls” promotion. ZipCar is available in 15 major US cities, as well as Toronto and Vancouver.
Apparel
-Urban Outfitters will give 20 percent off to shoppers with an “I Voted” sticker.
-Starbucks locations are giving away free “Indivisible” cord bracelets to customers with “I Voted” stickers”
-Macy’s is having a massive Election Day sale, offering up to 50 percent markdowns on sale items on their website. The coupon code ELECT will get you 20 percent off apparel, as well as 15 percent off shoes, home goods, and more on the department store’s website.
-Activewear retailer Lulemon is offering free yoga classes to frazzled voters in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. Check for participating locations on Lulemon’s blog.
Obama and Romney stores
And let’s not forget the campaigns themselves! President Obama and Mitt Romney both have a variety of options for last-minute supporters on their websites. Many of these items will probably get very cheap very quickly over the next few days, but there are still deals to be had. Romney’s online store offers free shipping on all items; Obama’s has markdowns on apparel, including a Bo Obama sweatshirt and baby onesies.