Thanks to the CSM for the tip......
Vote and get free coffee, donuts and a felony???
By Jimmy Orr | 11.04.08
If having your say in who will be the 44th President of the United States isn’t incentive enough to get out and vote, then how about free Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, or Ben and Jerry’s ice cream?
These companies and many more across the nation are offering freebies just for being patriotic.
Free stuff
Not in the Joe Biden “be a patriot” way. But, at Starbucks, just for saying you voted. For Krispy Kreme — all you have to do is wear an “I voted” sticker.
It’s even simpler at Ben and Jerry’s. The two step process is: 1) Show up. 2) Have a pulse.
It makes you want to break out and sing Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” - doesn’t it?
Felony?
Well, not so fast. Seems there are legal restrictions afoot.
Take the State of Georgia where the motto is “Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.”
Requiring someone to say they voted in order to receive a free coffee - that’s a felony.
Here’s the Georgia state law:
“Any person who gives or receives, or offers to give or receive, or participates in the giving or receiving of money or gifts for the purpose of registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate in any primary or election shall be guilty of a felony.”
Get out of jail free card
No word if an individual would get the electric chair upon conviction. But thankfully Starbucks and Krispy Kreme have modified the promotion so you aren’t required to break the law in order to get free stuff.
“To ensure we are in compliance with election law, we are extending our offer to all customers who request a tall brewed coffee,” said Starbucks’ spokeswoman Tara Darrow.
go figure that's Ga
ReplyDeleteI could see a problem if they were actually trying to sway the vote with a bribe....say if you could only get a free Krispy Kreme if you voted for Obama. Don't see nothing wrong with businesses encouraging people to turn out at the polls.
ReplyDeleteI understand the premise behind the law, technically the process is supposed to be secret so by offering rewards for people that voted the process is a little less secret, while a business wouldn't know who you voted for, they would know you voted, whcih is really none of their business. A business that caters to those of a specific political persuasion, by offering freebies to those that vote, could indirectly influence the vote. Say for instance, I were running a tavern near an auto plant staffed by union workers and after their shifts they regularly stop by for a belt, making up a sizeable amount of my clientele. It would come as little surprise that most union employees are Democrats, so by offering a giveaway (say a free beer or shot) for anyone who brings in a voting stub, I might not intend it, but I am inducing my clientele (Democrats) to go vote with promises of spirits for those that do and thus, influencing the turnout in favor of one candidate over the other. Likewise, say I run an upscale 5 star restaurant for only the elite of the elite, a income bracket that is predominitely Republican and offer Two for One entrees for those that vote, chances are I may urge more Republicans to vote than Democarts with my giveaway, so I actually understand the reasoning behind the Georgia law.
ReplyDeletehadn't really looked it from that point of view.
ReplyDeleteso is the popcorn ready for later? lol
I no more than left here than I ran into this in the Washington Post from my Igoogle page, seems it is just a free food day all around now...
ReplyDeleteAuthorities Eye Voter Perks
By Frank Ahrens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 4, 2008; 12:27 PM
Businesses that hope to reward voters today for exercising their patriotic right might be committing a felony.
A number of companies, including Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's and California Tortilla, said they would give out free food and sweets today to customers displaying an "I Voted" sticker.
But such freebies might be a violation of election laws -- they could be viewed as bribes even after a vote has been cast.
Leave it to the law to spoil all the fun.
In Georgia, the secretary of state's office issued a statement yesterday reading: "Businesses are free to offer 'Election Day' specials or sales for all of its customers, but gifts, incentives or specials just for voters is prohibited under this provision."
Which is good news for the cheap, hungry and disenfranchised of the Peach State.
To comply with similar election laws nationwide, businesses have devised a work-around.
For instance, Krispy Kreme has tied its voting promotion to its famous "Hot Doughnuts Now" signs that glow in store windows when the circular treats roll off the assembly line, freshly bathed in warm glaze.
"Anyone who visits a participating Krispy Kreme shop today and simply mentions our 'Hot Vote Now' promotion will get a free doughnut," company spokesman Brian Little wrote in an e-mail today. "No one is required to show an 'I Voted' sticker." The stores in Alexandria and the District's Dupont Circle locations are participating in the promotion today.
Ben & Jerry's said it would give away a free scoop of ice cream from 5 to 8 p.m. today to customers displaying the sticker, but then learned about the law.
"Originally, we planned to give free scoops away just to those who voted," said Walt Freese, chief euphoria officer of the wacky Vermont ice cream maker. "We found out afterwards that certain laws may not allow it. So instead we're celebrating our election with a national party," he said.
At Starbucks, which promised a free "tall" coffee today to anyone displaying the "I Voted" sticker, free joe now flows for all, voter and non-voter alike.
"To ensure we are in compliance with election law, we are extending our offer to all customers who request a tall brewed coffee," Starbucks spokeswoman Diana Fullerton wrote in an e-mail. "We're pleased to honor our commitment to communities on this important election day."
So today's lesson is: Vote or don't vote -- either way you get free food. Probably not quite the message the companies had hoped to impart.
Actually I ordered some food in, and I backed up my iced tea with a 2 liter Pepsi, so I am in for the long haul.
I was going to try my hand at making some spring rolls for lunch, I should go do that so I can be here on time.
ReplyDelete