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Finances & Money

Vote today and get FREE FOOD AND DRINKS!

November 4, 2008
By Michael Townsend
- Leave a Comment

This morning we got in line at 6:20am at our Maryland polling location, behind 15 other early-risers. By the time the polls opened at 7am, the line had swelled to over 100. We had a bit of a scare once we started voting as a number of the machines failed. After a quick fix, we were up and running again. By 7:15am, Stacie and I had both voted and were on our way to work. As a note, Stacie and I voted for different candidates. Don’t worry, it won’t cause a rift on our marriage 🙂

But if you do vote today, your little “I voted” sticker can get you some free goodies:

  • Starbucks free Tall (12 oz) coffee (see video below) – I got mine on the walk into the office. They handed the coffee out at the counter rather than the side bar where you normally pick up your drinks.
  • Ben & Jerry’s free scoop of ice cream from 5-8pm
  • Krispy Kreme free star-shaped doughnut
  • Pizza Hut 20% off any online order (call to confirm participation)

I believe that California has laws against “rewarding the populace for voting”, so these giveaways may not apply for you in CA.

UPDATE: As I drink my Starbucks coffee, I’m reminded of how awful it really tastes. It’s bitter and burnt and no amount of sweetener or milk can dilute or sweeten the taste. But hey, it’s free caffeine. I just can see why people buy this stuff normally. Even their flavored drinks are bitter.

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About Michael Townsend

Michael Townsend founded CleverDude.com in June 2006 while working as a technical analyst in the Washington, D.C. area. A Penn State graduate, he built the site as a side project alongside a white-collar career that included earning a master’s degree and multiple promotions.

In five years he wrote nearly 1,300 articles on personal finance and life lessons drawn from his own experience. The blog grew from a hobby into a recognized early voice in the personal-finance community and generated meaningful revenue. He sold the site in 2010, continued as a guest contributor through 2015, and returned in 2023 after further career advances, paying off his home, and extensive travel.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jasmin says

    November 4, 2008 at 12:05 pm

    It’s because some people like the over-roasted taste. So much so, that whenever they try to introduce lighter roasts, the consumer population revolts. That’s why they ended up buying Seattle’s Best (in the States) and Second Cup (in Canada), so they could profit on the rest of the population that enjoys coffee tasting like coffee, without ticking off their fan-base. 😉
    Oh… But the Arabian Mocha Sunani is so yummy… you never ever get that on tap though. *laugh* And I sure as heck wouldn’t actually pay for it (last I checked, $25/lbs). But, man… I miss my markouts. Someday, if you’re ever bored, go in in the afternoon, and ask them to make you a french-pressed sample of it. If nothing else, you might get a nice chat with a bored barista about the nitpickyness of coffee and life, which is what Starbucks is actually selling anyway.
    Flowers… @};-
    Jasmin

    Reply
  2. Donny Gamble says

    November 4, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    I see companies giving away free stuff as another marketing component to their business. Even though they want to reward you for getting out to vote, it also adds more revenue to their businesses.

    Reply
  3. valle says

    November 4, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    if you get the chance, i recommend wawa convenience store’s coffee. good flavors like chocolate caramel and vanilla. varieties of flavored creamers and milks and sweeteners too. best of all the largest cup is only $1.56. YUM

    Reply
  4. chris says

    November 4, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    machines…bah…give me voting cards like the old days…trusting machines, i think we fell for that trick before 🙁

    btw, some states free stuff constitutes a felony, i think georgia is one of them

    Reply
  5. t-luck says

    November 4, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    Well, over here in Malaysia, we get lots of goodies too.. but they are usually sponsored by individual parties.. even up to a free complete, wholesome dinner or travelling claims. But I haven’t seen so far companies that just give out freebies for anyone that votes for any party.

    Reply
  6. Finance says

    November 15, 2008 at 4:58 am

    Giving free prizes is indeed a good motivation for many people. A new company can attract many customers by giving some free stuff at a time.

    Reply

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