The Fearless Blogger

Kaya Votes for Freebies

As I start this post, it’s about 8 minutes away from Election Day here in the US (I guess it’s officially three hours ago back east!).

I’ll be blunt – after watching “Hacking Democracy” and remembering the 2004 election night, “cautiously optimistic” is about the most positive way to describe my outlook.

But who needs to get political?! Everyone else will be doing that. Let’s dare to be different! Let’s cross party lines. Let’s forget about red states vs. blue states.

Let’s get FREE STUFF!

Below is a list of free offers related to Election Day. Unless mentioned otherwise (or in Washington state where it’s illegal) assume you need to show your “I voted” sticker or ballot stub to receive for each. It’s a pretty solid mix of caffeine, sugar, and sex toys – certainly worth leaving the house to vote for!

• Ben & Jerry’s | one scoop Come to participating scoop shops on November 4th from 5-8pm, and you’ll get a free scoop of ice cream.
• Starbucks | 12 oz brewed coffee Initially intended to be just for voters, Starbucks has now made this free to anyone for the asking. Their blog says this is to make things “as easy as possible”, whether this means for their baristas or their lawyers, is anyone’s guess. It seems that in the caffeine giant’s home state, free coffee can be considered to be “buying votes”.
• Krispy Kreme | star-shaped donut Not sure if donuts fall outside the criteria of voter payola, but participating stores are offering voters treats covered in “patriotic sprinkles” (I feel like there is a Monica Lewinsky joke in there, somehow).
• Toys in Babeland | silver bullet or maverick sleeve Seattle-ites! New Yorkers! Your “word of honor that you cast a ballot on November 4th”is good enough for Toys in Babeland (a tasteful toy store for grownups) to see to it that you walk away with your choice of either a free Maverick (oh, so THAT’s what McCain & Palin are!) or a Silver Bullet. The “Voting Feels Good” offer is offered at all Babeland locations in New York and Seattle November 4-11.
• Rock the Vote | free song download Pledge to vote and choose from a selection of mp3s to download. The site also has links to things to do after you vote (link via Jillian C. York)
• Zov’s | apple pie For Seth, Summer, Ryan and the real people who live in Orange County, head to a Zov’s location for a free slice of apple pie.
• Books-A-Million | cup of Joe I’m going to assume this means you get a free cup of coffee for wearing your sticker to the bookstore chain, and has nothing to do with either “the Plumber”, “the VP candidate” or “my boyfriend”.
• Daily Grill | happy hour appetizer Slick Deals received details that this offer, along with happy hour prices on both drinks and food, extends through restaurant close.
• Charlottesville, VA | free public transportation One of my favorite cities and probably the only place I’d consider moving to on the east coast, C’ville is offering free service on all CTS buses. The Fare-FREE Day is designed to provide reliable transportation to the polls for all residents. CTS has a bus stop within three blocks of all Charlottesville City polling locations.
• Eli’s Cheesecake | cheesecake Chicago residents can stop in between now and Friday to get a free slice. Those of us outside the Windy City, can use the code “VOTE8″ to receive a free 6″ cheesecake with the purchase of a 9″ cake.
• Chick-fil-A | various food There is a a cow dangling it’s legs on the homepage! And a whole multi-media page with commercials of cows dressed as Susan Lucci, slideshows of Cow Appreciation Day, and one of the best calendars I’ve ever seen!  Check out this site now. Oh yeah – some of their locations are giving out free food today.
• Custom-Kingdom.com | dog poop sack “To keep with all the poop slinging” this site is giving away “dog poop sacks” to its first 500 visitors. The poop sacks attach to your dog’s leash to store plastic bags and doggie treats for your walk.
• Daptone Records | funk & soul sampler album Daptone is offering a 14 song sampler album download on amazon.com. No mention of it being voting related – but why question it?
• California Tortilla | taco “Just come in on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th, and the spunky cashier will give a coupon to anyone of voting age who comes in wearing an I VOTED sticker.” Oddly, there aren’t any of these in California, but they seem to have a few locations nationally. My guess is they’ll probably be announcing the winner of their Vote with Your Mouth campaign today as well.

In the not-quite-free-but-worth-mentioning category:

• Anaheim White House | free bottle of champagne (with $44 meal) Still worth mentioning, because they’re throwing a “Race to The White House” party. Not only will there be tv screens showing election results, the restaurant is offering four-course Obama vs. McCain menus featuring dishes such as John McCalamari, Mitt Romney Short Ribs, Right Wing Rigatoni, followed by a “Conservative” Fruit Tartlet for Republicans (so the fruit tartlets can co-mingle, but will not be permitted to marry). Democrats can dine on Colin Powell Backed Caesar Salad, Joe Biden Veal Tender and Barack O-Chicken, with “Liberal” Lemon Tarts for dessert. Pasta e Fagioli Soup seems to cross the aisle (named either for Sara Palin or Oprah Winfrey) as does the “Joe” The Plummer Chocolate Illusion.
• Cristophe Schatteman | discount haircut The hair stylist best known for giving former president Bill Clinton a $200 haircut on Air Force One is offering half price discounts at his salons (Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Beverly Hills and Orange County, CA) today., The offer is valid for all services — including haircuts. The good news is, since a haircut there usually goes for $500, you’re saving $250!

For more freebies close to home:

• 7.5 things you can get for free on Election Day in Seattle
• Slick Deals
• L.A. Times
• MyFox, Washington D.C. (Yeah, yeah, I know, FOX.)
• The Boston Foodie

Know of any not up here? Please mention it in the comments below.

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