An "I Voted" sticker can allow you to get free things. (But is it legal? Well …)



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You went through the months leading up to the mid-term elections. You searched for your candidates and you voted. Before you sit down and watch the famous election day hand, you are entitled to a treat.

Some companies offer free food, free car rides and discounts, among other offers, to people who are planning to vote, say that they have voted or that they are wearing their sticker well. "I voted".

However, offering incentives to voters before or after voting in a federal election is technically illegal.

"Most of the time, when companies offer these incentives, they only try to increase voter turnout, but it's illegal," said Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, a political scientist and professor. assistant in public relations at Columbia University. "Under the federal electoral law and in cases where a federal candidate is registered on the ballot, the vote is illegal."

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Yet he can not think of a case that has been brought against such companies.

"The federal forces have bigger fish to whip," Hertel-Fernandez said.

Some companies have also teamed up with non-profit organizations to facilitate the voting of some people likely to live far from the polls.

Here are some of the companies that are considering making it easier for voters or rewarding their votes this year:

– Uber offers users to go to a polling place for free.

– Lyft provides free and discounted tours to polling stations. The free attractions are distributed by Lyft's non-profit and non-partisan partners, including Voto Latino, National Urban League affiliates, National Federation of the Blind, Faith in Action, League of Women Voters and Student Veterans of America. Lyft's partners determine how to distribute the rides to the users they deem most urgent.

– Lime offers polling stations a free ride for up to 30 minutes by giving access to their shared fleet of bicycles, bicycles and electric scooters.

– In New York and New Jersey, Citi bike rides are free on Election Day. Citi Bike announced on Twitter that by entering the code "BIKETOVOTE" in the Citi Bike app, pilots could apply for a free day pass on bikes.

– Many YMCAs will provide free or reduced child care to people who vote. Contact your local YMCA to see what is available.

– As part of the #DRIVEtheVOTE initiative of Zipcar, any member who reserves a car in the United States from 18:00. at 10 pm on the evening of the election, you will receive a $ 20 credit for a future reservation.

– After the Illinois State Elections Council has seen its offer of free admission to voters, the Field Museum in Chicago has opened to everyone. The museum offers free admission to all residents of Illinois on Tuesdays.

– Dermatologist Dr. Pimple Popper offers a free daily moisturizer to all voters who post a selfie – while they go to the polls or with their "I Voted" sticker – tagging their skin care line.

– Sandwich Shop Potbelly will be distributing free cookies on polling day and Wednesday (no "I Voted" stickers have been requested).

– Shake Shack offers a free order of cold fries cut to any purchase on Election Day. Voters can enter and display their "I Voted" sticker or use the Shake Shack app to take advantage of the offer.

– Via Metropolitan Transit, the transportation agency in San Antonio, organizes free bus rides to encourage San Antonians to go to the polls.

– The first 200 people who can post their social media messages related to voting with the hashtag "I Voted" at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York can attend a free show. Stickers "I voted" will not work.

– The San Francisco Creativity Museum offers free entry to voters until Friday.

– Stumptown Coffee Roasters offers free coffee for solicitors, registered voters and volunteers during election day polls.

– Frank Ocean fans living in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston or Miami can get free Frank Ocean products if they show up at the ballot box or with their ballot.



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