Free doughnuts, cheap rides and BOGO subs hit Election Day

Voters heading to the polls Tuesday can score a free Krispy Kreme (DNUT) doughnut, half-price Lyft (LYFT) rides and plenty of other day-of deals.

Since Election Day, Nov. 3, also falls on National Sandwich Day, buy-one-get-one subs, $5 sandwiches and other food deals are in the mix, too. Hertz (HTZ) is knocking a day off some car rentals, and several transit agencies are offering fare-free rides.

Subway moved its National Sandwich Day celebration up a week to Oct. 27 to give sandwiches “their own moment” ahead of Election Day. But its BOGO Footlong deal continues through Nov. 8, meaning it will still be available on National Sandwich Day itself.

There’s also a catch. Federal law prohibits paying or offering something of value to someone in exchange for voting in an election involving federal candidates. That has traditionally shaped how businesses structure Election Day promotions, with many making their offers available regardless of whether customers actually voted.

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The fine print matters, too. Many of Tuesday’s offers require promo codes, rewards accounts or an app, and some are available only during certain hours, at participating locations or while supplies last.

Here’s what’s on offer, why the rules exist and what to check before heading out Tuesday to vote or grab a bite.

Krispy Kreme offers free Election Day doughnut

Krispy Kreme is giving guests at participating U.S. shops one free Original Glazed doughnut Tuesday if they say they voted or show an “I Voted” sticker, according to a company statement. No purchase is necessary, and the limit is one per guest while supplies last.

“Showing up for our communities – whether by voting or volunteering at the polls – is worth celebrating,” Krispy Kreme Chief Brand and Product Officer Alison Holder said in announcing the promotion.

The wording of the offer is a shift. Krispy Kreme gave doughnuts to all comers on Election Day in 2020, 2022 and 2024, with no proof of voting required, according to company statements and news reports at the time.

In America, it’s illegal to offer people something of value in exchange for their vote, but businesses can offer customers special offers if they simply say they voted.

Jeremy Poland / Getty Images

Lyft, Hertz offer Election Day transportation deals

Several transportation companies have Election Day offers this year. Lyft and Hertz all have codes, and several transit agencies are fare-free, though hours and coverage vary.

“Getting to the polls is one of the most meaningful ways we get to shape our shared future,” Lyft Chief Policy Officer Jerry Golden said in a Lyft blog post.

Election Day 2026 transportation deals include:

Lyft: code VOTE26 for 50% off, up to $10, on one ride per user to a polling place or, in some states, a registered ballot drop box, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time Tuesday. It covers car rides, plus scooter and bikeshare rides in select markets, and excludes Black and Black SUV. The discount doesn’t apply to tips, and Lyft’s terms say quantities are limited. The company tells riders to load the code in the app before Nov. 3.
Hertz: code 211636 on Hertz.com for one free day on rentals of two or more days at participating neighborhood locations. Convertibles and large SUVs are excluded.
Free public transit is another option in some places, though rules vary by agency. Marin Transit in Marin County, Calif., Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, Calif., and Rochester Public Transit in Rochester, Minn., are fare-free on Tuesdays.

Why Election Day freebies come with federal rules

Federal law prohibits making or offering an expenditure to someone in exchange for voting or withholding a vote in an election involving federal candidates. Under 18 U.S.C. §597, a person who makes or offers such an expenditure, or solicits or accepts one in consideration for voting or withholding a vote, can face criminal penalties.

The Justice Department, which enforces these laws, explains how they apply in its 2017 Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual. A separate law, 52 U.S.C. §10307(c), also bars payments for voting in federal elections.

More restaurants:

That is why Election Day promotions are often structured so customers don’t have to prove they voted. FairVote.org says giveaways can be legal if they’re available to voters and nonvoters alike, according to VERIFY.

Ride programs are usually framed around access rather than rewards. Lyft’s terms say its offer is “not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on the act of voting.”

Enforcement appears rare. Forbes reported in 2024 that one expert told the New York Times in 2018 that the law has seemingly never been enforced against companies.

Sandwich Day deals include Subway BOGO, free Firehouse subs

National Sandwich Day is bringing another batch of food deals Tuesday, and the holiday also landed on Election Day in 2020.

Subway Sub Club members can get a free Footlong with the purchase of another Footlong of equal or lesser price through Nov. 8 on app and online orders at participating U.S. restaurants, according to a company statement. The offer is added automatically to members’ app wallets and is limited to one use per order. Some exclusions apply.

Firehouse Subs (parent Restaurant Brands International, QSR) is offering a free medium sub with a purchase of $15 or more through the app or online.

National Sandwich Day deals Nov. 3

Deal details come from NerdWallet’s roundup, Sporked’s guide and USA TODAY, and terms vary by location, so check each chain’s app.

Jimmy John’s: JJ Rewards members can buy one qualifying sandwich or wrap and get another free on Nov. 3 on website and app orders with code SANDWICH, the company told USA TODAY. The offer is single-use and can’t be combined with other deals.
Potbelly: free Original sandwich or wrap with a BIG or Original purchase online or in the app, code BOGO.
Jersey Mike’s: free delivery on app and online orders of at least $5, applied automatically with no code.
McAlister’s Deli: rewards members get a regular sandwich for $5 through Nov. 3.
Schlotzsky’s: rewards members get medium sandwiches for $5 through Nov. 3, with up to ten allowed in one order.
Capriotti’s: rewards members get a second sub for 50% off on Nov. 3 only.
7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes: 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can get a qualifying market or deli sandwich and a 20-ounce soft drink for $1 on Nov. 3 at participating stores.
PepsiCo (PEP) and DoorDash (DASH): $15 off a DoorDash order of $25 or more, before taxes and fees, when you add a participating Pepsi beverage. Use code PEPSI15OFF on Nov. 3 or 15OFFPEPSI on Nov. 4. Limit one redemption per customer, while supplies last.

What to check before chasing Election Day deals

Election Day deals can be especially local, so the national promotions aren’t the only savings available Tuesday.

In 2024, brands including Uber Eats, Dave & Buster’s (PLAY), Ikea, Yogurtland and Johnny Rockets offered Election Day deals, according to Axios, so it’s worth checking company apps and social pages for late additions.

Restaurant chains have increasingly tied promotions to loyalty programs and apps as they compete for repeat customers.

Polling hours also vary by state, so check when your polls close before making the food run.