Coffee, burgers, pizza -- "I Voted" stickers garner discounts

When you leave the polls today, don't throw out that "I Voted" sticker -- it could be your ticket to a free meal or half-price haircut.

To encourage people to vote, several businesses -- including restaurants, coffee shops, salons and bars -- are doling out freebies and discounts on election day, despite some concerns about whether such promotions are legal.

"We can't guarantee that your candidate of preference will win on Nov. 4," said Chef Ron Rupocinski of Krispy Kreme, which will give out star-shaped doughnuts to customers at select locations. "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."

The "I Voted" sticker will be good for a free appetizer at most Daily Grill restaurants, a bottle of Jones Soda or draft beer at Pitfire Pizza locations in downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood, and 50% off services at Cristophe salons, which include shops in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.

"It's such an important, crucial election," said owner Cristophe Schatteman, whose clients have included Bill Clinton.

"I wanted to drive people to the voting polls. I think by offering all our services at 50% off, we hopefully encourage the younger demographic to go and vote."

Read the rest of the story here.

--Andrea Chang

Photo: Gina Ferazzi / LAT

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Comments

[NullOp]

Anything that encourages the public to vote is a positive thing, for sure! Now if we can come up with a way to make the public to think before voting we'll be ahead of the game.

[Eric]

This is illegal. Starbucks was going to give everyone who voted free coffee, but due to bribery laws they're not allowed to do it. Instead they opted to give everyone free coffee today, regardless of if they voted.

[T-Bone]

Ha, that's great. Everyday should be election day with deals like this.

But there's concerns about the legality of this? No way. I'm sure none of this is illegal, especially if you're not requiring that people have to vote for a certain candidate to get the freebie.

[Gayle Falkenthal]

You missed the best one. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Mitchel Goldman of La Jolla Spa MD in La Jolla, California, is offering 20% off any procedure or service this week for voters. That's free Botox everyone and worth a heck of a lot more than cup of coffee or a doughnut!

[balesfamily]

This is against the law.

[Miss Picky]

So what about those of us who voted by mail? There's no sticker or anything else that I know of to show that we voted. It's time we got something like that!

[Joe]

Hmmm.. Let's see... who wants freebies and handouts and who will the "younger demographic" vote for? This is nothing short of paying people to vote Democratic, which should not be legal.

[j]

how do absentee mail in voters get these freebees. discrimination?

[Fernando mendoza]

1st!

[TWells]

Uh, yeah.. brilliant really. Carbs, sugar, caffine....just what we need to ratchet up the angst on election day. What's next, free amunition at Larry's Lock 'n Load?

[Frankly]

I see that many complain it favors Democrats...

Too bad. Not having a day off, as civilized nations seem to, serves your barbaric party even more than a few donuts and coffees will serve ours. I cannot wait for the trials to start, you monsters.

[Junior]

Joe- your comment is so offensive, saying that people who want handouts must be democrats. Besides, I don't know anyone who wouldn't like something for free. What a naive perspective.
And by the way, there is a tipping point. Someday the "older demographic" will be in need of Medicaid. And who do you think supports that?

[SKD]

Businesses should have to right to encourage voting. I guess we are so used to living under the yolk of oppressive voting laws and a non-democratic system (the Electoral college), curmudgeons automatically assume giving away free or discounted items are illegal.

Sheesh, let people be free.

[joeschmoepolitico]

More head games are coming your way. Along with the media, Obama and his Chicago style Political Machine have been consistent throughout the election in crushing the hopes of people who support of his opposition. Likewise, they have massaged your subconscious into believing if you don’t vote for Obama, you are somehow racist. During the primary elections with Hillary Clinton and in general election with John McCain and Sarah Palin they have done three things to convince us that our candidates could not win. They believe we are weak minded and easily manipulated. Control your own destiny; do not vote for the government to control your destiny. Do not fall for these tricks.

(1) Calls for McCain to just give up and quit, because the race is over.

(2) Wild claims of Obama winning states that shock and surprise you

(3) Repeated insistence that blacks and young people will decide this election, and they are all going to vote in record numbers for Obama.

There is one concern I have about election night, if anyone remembers 2000 they said that Al Gore won Florida, the media outlets called the state early while the polls were still open. It turned out it was a statistical error, and he did not win. As a result some people got out of the line, and didn’t vote. It’s a fact that Democrats do better in exits poll than a Republican, because there is a snafu in the statistical data that pollsters can’t seem to work out.. The biased media will take advantage of this top discourage republicans from voting, and sway the election in the democrats favor. Don’t Count Yourself Out! Whatever the issue is, please don’t count yourself out because you think you don’t matter, or because you don’t think it will affect you. Your vote does matter. Go to the link below, “Confessions of an Obama Worker” to see how manipulative Obama’s Chicago Style Politics are.

http://joeschmoepolitico.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/confessions-of-an-obama-worker/

http://joeschmoepolitico.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/pinhead-of-the-day-is-john-baer-for-insulting-pennsylvanians-by-saying-mccain-banking-on-the-cracker-factor-in-pa%e2%80%9d/

http://joeschmoepolitico.wordpress.com/

[Reno]

Anyone can see that this is just PR promotional to attract foot traffic. As you all know, as the economy has tightened, Starbucks, krispy creme, Ben & Jerry's are increasingly become a luxury people are choosing to forgo .

[Cranky_Old_Batt]

Actually, there is a stub you retain when you vote by mail that could be used as proof for this incentive of questionable legality to vote.

[Dan]

There are many people claiming that the practice is illegal. However, it is just fine to give no bid contracts to companies that make billions of dollars. Tell me a felony charge for a donut or a thataboy for a no bid contract.

Please comment.

[ChristianT]

Joe -

It amazed me how some people are so blinded by their own reality they think they are so much better than others. While I'm not saying Obama has led a perfect campaign - republicans out here in Virginia are running robocalls pretending to be Hillary Clinton and saying to vote for McCain - something even Hillary has had to mention repeatedly was not her. From what we've encountered here in VA, the republicans are leading an extremely dirty campaign - far more so than Obama. The most ironic part about it is that I know several die hard republicans who are voting the other way because they can't stand that someone would bring their party down this way.

[TheRealJoeThePlumber]

"Is this for real? Who knows, but it sounds believable"

Who knows? More responsible journalism from the fringe right.

[Miss Picky]

Cranky:
In my county (Orange), there is a paper ballot, not the punch-cards that they used to have and had the tear-off. Perhaps if one thought ahead, one could have written down the ballot #. Alas, I didn't!

[MUFFINbesh]

Everyone has their comments... and say what you wish. i dont need to choose a side of democrat or republic. and i definitely dont need to bash either party. honestly, lets all go back to basics......
we,
are americans.
who make up one entity.
regardless of age, race, sex, financial stance, etc...
we all need to put personal feelings aside and realize...
VOTE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR THIS COUNTRY.
for
its all we have.

ive read comments speaking of the younger generation.... well thats me.

and i hope i can set an example and reflect onto others the idea of an open mind.

there is positive and negative in every party...
dont be fooled.

[MUFFINbesh]

Everyone has their comments... and say what you wish. i dont need to choose a side of democrat or republic. and i definitely dont need to bash either party. honestly, lets all go back to basics......
we,
are americans.
who make up one entity.
regardless of age, race, sex, financial stance, etc...
we all need to put personal feelings aside and realize...
VOTE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR THIS COUNTRY.
for
its all we have.

ive read comments speaking of the younger generation.... well thats me.

and i hope i can set an example and reflect onto others the idea of an open mind.

there is positive and negative in every party...
dont be fooled.

[celery08]

STOP being haters and you call your self a citizen!!!!! go and vote....stop crying i dont think its gainst the law you should get awarded for participating in something thats going down in history