Free food, drink may await residents who vote today
Politics Three restaurants try to entice people to go to the polls

BY ANN KELLEY

Published: November 4, 2008

At least three major chains are offering free food and drink today to Oklahoma voters.

All anyone has to have is an "I voted” sticker from their polling place. Then they can get a free star-shaped doughnut from participating Krispy Kremes, a cup of coffee from Starbucks or a three-pack of chicken strips from Chick-fil-A.

The promotions are being offered nationwide.

Not a problem

State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman said these clearly are instances of corporations trying to boost their business, not spin politics. However, there are cases where enticing voters to the polls with free items violates state and federal law.

He said giveaways that target a voter demographic to sway the outcome of an election are illegal. For example, a business offering free fishing licenses to turn out voters on a state question that affects fishing would be seriously suspect, he said.

Brian Hilgenfeld, franchise operator for Chick-fil-A at Quail Springs Mall, said the chicken giveaway is merely to reward people for voting. It’s being offered at 17 of its 24 locations in Oklahoma, excluding those on college campuses.

Just vote

"It doesn’t matter to us who you vote for, we just want you to get out and vote,” Hilgenfeld said.

Representatives for Krispy Kreme and Starbucks said the same.

Krispy Kreme spokeswoman Ayana Hernandez said the company’s Hot Vote Now promotion may result in giving away 200,000 doughnuts nationwide, valued at 99 cents each.

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