Free stuff! Election Day 2020 deals you can take advantage of right now
Election Day is tomorrow, but the 2020 election has already begun in earnest, with more than 93 million votes cast, according to the U.S. Elections Project.
As such, companies across the board have begun offering voting day specials to help motivate as many people as possible to let their voices be heard.
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Some companies have been offering deals and other perks to would-be voters for a few weeks now, given that early voting has been underway in many states for some time, while others are offering a tighter window in which people can take advantage.
We're likely to see more deals pop up as we draw ever closer to Election Day tomorrow. We'll be updating this post as more relevant deals come along, but for now, let's take a look at a few of the best offers we're currently seeing.
Companies offering voting day deals
Hertz
Car-rental giant Hertz is offering the "Drive the Vote" promo in order to help people get to the polls, no matter the location they need to get to. You can get one free day when you pick up your car on either Nov. 2 or 3 and complete at least a two-day rental from participating neighborhood locations. Pulling off an election of this scale amid the enduring COVID-19 pandemic is no easy feat, and Hertz wants people to feel as safe as they possibly can while participating in the democratic process.
When reserving, be sure to use the code 210350.
Lyft
In 2018, ride-hailing platform Lyft began its "Ride to Vote" initiative, which is aimed at providing access to affordable transportation to the polls. It's expanded the offering in 2020, and will offer 50% off one ride up to $10 to any polling location or dropbox when you use the code 2020VOTE. Now, this offer extends to Lyft's network of bikes and scooters in cities around the country.
The code is valid for one ride only on Nov. 3 between the hours of 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. local time, and does not apply to Lyft Lux rides.
Uber
There are a few aspects to Uber's Get Out the Vote initiative in 2020. Most notably, the company's food-delivery arm, Uber Eats has partnered with Pizza to the Polls to deliver free food via a fleet of over 180 food trucks to polling places in 25 cities across the country between Oct. 24 and Nov. 3. Also, Uber's offering 50% off round-trip rides to and from the polls (up to $7 each way or $14 round-trip), which also applies to its fleet of bikes and scooters. Plus, the Uber app has a new feature that will help users find their correct polling place.
The discount is valid from 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Nov. 3 to 3 a.m. Pacific Time on Nov. 4 and is eligible for all riding options except for Taxi and Transit. Do note you'll need to search for your polling place in the app to get the discount.
Local bike-sharing
Several bike-sharing companies are participating in "Roll to the Polls" via The North American Bikeshare Association (NABSA), and offering free or reduced-cost transportation to voters. Here's the list:
- Bird
- Blue Systems
- Boulder B-cycle
- Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System
- Explore Bike Share
- Fort Worth Bike Sharing
- Gotcha
- Heartland Bike Share
- Metro Bike Share
- MobilityData
- MoGo Detroit
- Movatic
- PikeRide Colorado Springs
- Populus
- Ride Report
- Shift Transit
- Tugo Bike Share
Go to RolltothePolls.com to find the nearest operator.
Local transit
Check with your local transit agency for free rides to the polls. Cities like Los Angeles and Indianapolis are offering free rides on Election Day. The Southern California transit agency L.A. Metro, for example, is offering free service on rail and bus lines through Nov. 3.
Free food
Be sure to check out hotels near you as some are offering discounts for voters on stays or on food and wine.
Election Day is also National Sandwich Day and lots of chains are offering deals or freebies so check your local franchises. If you are a poll worker even more free stuff is available to you at chains like Chopt and Shake Shack. Another example? Chobani and Seamless are giving 1,000 New York City poll workers $40 off their Seamless orders. Check out Perksforpollworkers.com.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsMwbbA5q2/?utm_source=ig_embed
Boston Market
Boston Market is giving away free sliders on election night from 9 p.m. to close.
Chili's
Chili's will have $5 "Presidente Margaritas" through Nov. 3 and is running a contest.
DoorDash
Use promo code "VOTE" for free delivery on orders over $15 on Election Day. For those with zero delivery fees already, you can use the code DPVOTE for 10% off.
Krispy Kreme
Get a free glazed donut and an "I voted" sticker on Election Day.
McDonald's
Beginning on Election Day McDonald's is giving out new pastry items with a purchase of a hot beverage through the app.
Wendy's
Wendy's is giving away its new chicken sandwich with any purchase through its app now through Nov. 8.
White Castle
Get $4 off orders of $20 or more or $5 off orders of $30 or more on Tuesday through Grubhub, Uber Eats and Postmates. Note that White Castle is closing all locations from 7 - 11 a.m. so employees can vote.
Bottom line
We're just one day away from Election Day 2020, and with turnout expected to be high and the ever-present coronavirus considerations, voting in 2020 will surely be unique. We're seeing companies jump in to help get people registered, find their polling places and provide more-affordable transportation to and from. We'll likely be seeing more promotions pop up, so check back here for updates.
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.
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