I'll be there! I pass a Starbucks between my polling place and work. Thanks.

It was advertised here too, but the local paper published this "warning" on the front page today...

Clerk: Voting promotions violate law
By PATRICK O'BRIEN
Staff writer

Businesses which offer specials for going to the polls face prison, fines

COEUR d'ALENE -- Buyers and businesses beware: It's a violation of federal law to offer or accept any sales or promotions for voters on Election Day.

Kootenai County Clerk Dan English said that regardless of party affiliations, businesses cannot offer discounts on products or service to encourage the general public to get out and vote.

"As the county clerk, we work hard to try to turn out the voters," he said. "I appreciate their spirit, and their motivations, but unfortunately that is just a specific thing they can't do."

The law came to English's attention when a handful of local businesses advertised sales planned Tuesday for people who came in with "I voted" stickers.

English said he spoke with the various companies and said that all wanted to comply with the statutes and make sure that no laws had been violated.

English said the promotional encouragement from businesses comes up almost every election year. In the past, espresso stands have unintentionally advertised free -- but unlawful -- coffee to people displaying the "I voted" stickers.

"Even though it's not directly connected to a candidate or something, I think the reason it's probably there, is because it's on the continuum of trying to buy somebody's vote and so they just don't allow anything being given for the act of voting," English said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Cook referenced U.S. Code Title 18 section 597. Under the title anyone offering or making an expenditure to any person to either vote or withhold his or her vote or to vote for or against a specific candidate can be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to $250,000.

"In the broad spectrum of voting, I guess we have to be more careful," Cook said.

Anyone soliciting, accepting or receiving the expenditures could face similar penalties. In the event that the violations were carried out willfully, imprisonment can be increased to a maximum of two years.

"Under most instances, they are helping individuals to do their civic duty," said Cook, who mentioned she had never had to prosecute such an occurrence."

So I guess I won't be getting free coffee. LOL

Ben and Jerry's are offering free ice cream to voters at participating stores!
Here's the link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ben & Jerry's

And Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut with patriotic sprinkles to go with the coffee from Starbucks.

Yes, you'll get free stuff today... not because you voted. Including starbucks coffee, Ben and Jerry's, and Krispy Kreme. Just ask!

"... Starbucks got the word that offering free coffee to people who vote on Election Day violated the law, so now the coffee company is offering a free cup to anyone who asks on November 4."

Here is a link that might be useful: news