Vote and Get Free Stuff!
The polls in Maryland will be open in less than 30 minutes. Are you voting?! Please tell us you're voting. Please don't make us launch into a why-voting-is-important rant. Please don't make us fuss you out for NOT voting.
Liz told you yesterday that employees in Maryland are allowed up to two hours to vote if the polls aren’t open two consecutive hours outside the employee’s regular shift (this is probably good for those who work 12 hour shifts).
But if you still need some persuading... did we mention all the freebies you can get just for exercising your civic duty?
Start off your day at the polls and then you can cruise on over to a Krispy Kreme to get a free donut for voting. They're giving away a donut with red, white and blue sprinkles on top to anyone sporting an "I Voted" sticker.
Need a cup o' Joe to wash down that donut? Starbucks loves voters so much it will proudly give you a tall cup of coffee if you just tell a barista you voted. But wait, wait, there's more.
Wilco, that Indie-voter-loving band, will give you a free download of its Wilco with Fleet Foxes cover of a Bob Dylan tune if you just pledge to vote. For you Sheryl Crow fans out there, she wants you to know she loves voters, too, so she'll also be gifting you a free song download if you vote.
Hungry voters? We're not leaving you out. Show up with an "I Voted" sticker at a Shane's Rib Shack and you can get a free chicken tenders meal with fries and 20 oz. drink. Yes, there is a Shane's in Laurel. mmm mmmm, tasty. At participating stores, Chik-Fil-A will give you a free sandwich for voting. I couldn't find anything on this offer on their Web site, but slickdeals.net reported several stores participating so please check with the store before you go.
Still feeling a little peckish after all that voting? How about some dessert? Ben & Jerry's is celebrating democracy so if you get an "I Voted" sticker, stop by a participating store and get a free scoop of ice cream. That link will help you find a store near you.
Now, I know you need something to wash all those goodies down. Howzabout a beer, you parched voters? Our good friend and man-about-town Midnight Sun Sessa told you about the free beer or soft drink you can get at Todd Conner's in Fells Point just for voting. Those crazy kids over at Don't Know and No Idea in Federal Hill are offering a 2-fer-1 for your first round. Also, Gerry says the Pickled Parrot is buying the second round for anyone who votes, and there will be shooter giveaways all night during the coverage.
For more election night drink specials, check out Anica's story on the happenings around town today.
Whew. That just wore me out, especially since I had to write this post and find links for all this stuff TWICE because Living Dot (our blog system) is out to destroy me. So get out and vote, people! What are you waiting for? Make a day of it. Vote early and then wander around collecting your good voter freebies. We've probably missed a lot of offers to voters out there so if you know of one or your business is offering discounts or free stuff to voters, let us know.
Happy voting, kids!
(AP Photo)
Comments
I voted, but I didn't get a sticker. In fact, in the eight years I've lived and voted in Maryland, I've never gotten a sticker. Boo on Krispy Kreme for requiring one. Don't they trust me?
DD: mitzi, I bet if you go to a Krispy Kreme and tell them you voted, they'd still give you a donut. Doesn't hurt to try.
Posted by: mitzi | November 4, 2008 8:49 AM
If you just tell them you voted, they should give you something. Apparently only Starbucks, so far, is taking heat for violating election laws for "providing an incentive/gift to encourage voting".
They have issued a statement saying anyone that mentions the free coffee will receive one.
DD: Thanks no good deed!
Posted by: no good deed | November 4, 2008 10:12 AM
OK. WTH? Is that sticker really on that dog? I'm not a PETA nut or anything, but that is just wrong.
DD: Yea, that's going to hurt when they pull it off. ouch. I have done no such thing to my own dawg.
Posted by: Danielle | November 4, 2008 10:35 AM
Due to the economy and the liquor board, Don't Know can't give away anything free but you can get 1/2 off your lunch today if you tell the bartender that you voted. We trust you, no sticker required. Don't Know will also offer a 2 for 1 special for your first round of drinks.
DD: The food's pretty good so do try to take advantage of it. Thanks Jason.... although I'm not sure I forgive you for accusing me of kidnapping Homer on Sessa's blog.
Posted by: Jason | November 4, 2008 11:54 AM
Had my favorite cup of Starbucks coffee free this a.m. Didn't have a sticker, but the barista was insistent. A nice gesture!
But--do we get another cup if we vote again?
DD: I'm not encouraging this, Terry, but lots of people onTwitter were saying that they were heading back for a second cup! Maybe best to go to a different store if you're going to go this route, though!
Posted by: Terry | November 4, 2008 2:18 PM
Apparently, it's illegal to offer creature comforts, such as coffee or doughnuts in exchange for having voted...
http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/599754.html
DD: Yes yes, 'tis true, BankStreet. So I think a lot of businesses are getting around that by NOT demanding that you show proof of voting.
Posted by: BankStreet | November 4, 2008 2:30 PM
Was all excited to hear that Shane's Rib Shack was giving away a 3-piece meal. Worked up an appetite waiting in line to vote so you can imagine my disappointment when I drove to the Shack in Laurel at 2:30 pm only to be told the promotion was limited to the first 300 people...I was bummed. Did get my coffee at the Starbucks next door. Yay for Starbucks!
DD: aw geez. Sorry Carol. I may have missed it, but I didn't see anything about Shane's limiting it to 300 people. Glad you got your coffee, though! Thanks for letting everyone know not to go there now.
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