Starbucks vote promo gets decaffeinated

Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:36 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Pete Williams

From NBC's Pete Williams
Starbucks, which announced in an ad on "Saturday Night Live" that it would give a free coffee to anyone who came in on Election Day and said, "I voted," has been forced to change its plan.

Now anyone who wants the free coffee gets it, voter or not.

It turns out that a giveaway to voters could violate election laws in some states that prohibit gifts for voters. While these laws are generally intended to discourage attempts to influence voters, the lawyers were worried the Starbucks policy might be a violation.

"To ensure we are in compliance with election law, we extended our offer to all customers who request a tall brewed coffee," says Tara Darrow of Starbucks.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Oh, geez, some people just want a free ride (or free coffee) without having to actually DO SOMETHING for it. It's amazing that people will force the issue to get a free cup of coffee, but don't seem to care that our voting system is broken. Go figure!

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:48 PM)

That sucks. Although, I'm a bigger fan of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:49 PM)

Starbucks changes it's plan today. Obama will change his plan tomorrow.

"New and higher taxes for everyone!!" - BHObama

Leader Board (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:49 PM)

I don't want a free cup of coffee from the most disgusting business in America! Starbucks is the most annoying business with way too many shops way too close together. I'm glad that it is suffering from it's own hubris and has to downsize. Time to create better businesses than coffee shops and burger flipping joints.

We need some good-paying union manufacturing jobs coming back here to rebuild the middle class.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:51 PM)

Obama gets $300 million in shady and un-trackable campaign contributions, and no one bats an eye. Someone gives a cup of coffee away, and they're in jail.

Justice Denied (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:51 PM)

now how is that violating election laws when they are not specifing a candidate and they are not even asking for proof of voting?

mel, spfld,il (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:52 PM)

It's a good thing we're going to have a lawyer run this country. What could wrong with that?

Su Mee, San Francisco (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:52 PM)

hey MSNBC wake up!!! your poll closing info in confusing the HELL OUT OF PEOPLE!!!

STOP NOW!!!!! PLEASE!!!!

JERRY IN LOS ANGELES (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:53 PM)

No way, no how you can get me to drink an overly caffeinated product at any price including for free that is designed to get one hooked to become a robo-drinker with the delightful benefits of insomnia, migraine headaches, stained teeth as well as an empty wallet, compliments of Starbucks Coffee.

Jeff G. (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:54 PM)

YOUR POLL CLOSING TIMES ARE CONFUSING TONS OF PEOPLE!!! STOP STOP STOP!!!

JERRY IN LOS ANGELES (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:54 PM)

A vote for a coffee. Why not. Obamma promises to give you everything you will ever need for a vote.

wayne alton (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:56 PM)

Why are Dems not commenting on the Black Panthers in Philly trying to intimidate voters. You can watch it on YouTube and it's been on the News channels. Please comment on this fine showing of honest compassion and love. Hello, are you out there?

Richard, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:59 PM)

WOW! You guys need to relax a bit....I'll take a free cup o' joe

PaintedLady Rockford Il (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:01 PM)

Man, I'm really enjoying all that discomfort the right-wingers are already displaying. Welcome to my hell of the past 8 years baby! LOL

Fran, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:01 PM)

Once Barack is in office, Starbucks will be a thing of the past for all you rich folk out there. Get it while you can, suckers!

Full Blast, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:03 PM)

Come on - give me a break! The question I was asked was 'did you vote?' Yes or No. Both red and blue voters were treated equal.

Fred Cole, Emmaus, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:03 PM)

I got to admit. The attacks on Obama are really getting funny. I mean seriously funny. Even coffee pisses off the repubs now. I wish you guys would've gotten this pissed off when W ran for re-election

KC WC, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:03 PM)

I voted, had my Starbucks and enjoyed it. Thanks Starbucks!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose Cave Creek, Arizona (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

Hopefully, God will watch over the winner, so that he be protected from harm and be blessed with the power to do what is right by our country.

Roadeye, Springfield, MA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

Starbucks should have given the coffee away before you vote---Wake up America, could have been a good slogan.

Pat Sorteno (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:04 PM)

So, to the first comment listed on here about how some folks are just after a free ride....it was just a legal decision to forego any POSSIBLE lawsuit. No individual decided to press the issue.

Casey (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:06 PM)

Why are Dems not commenting on the Black Panthers in Philly trying to intimidate white voters. It's on YouTube and it's been on the News channels. Please comment. Is this what ending racism in American meant when we voted for Obama? We all have to be mad at this stupid behavior and lash out against it.

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:06 PM)

God Bless America- I know we can Make it, "YES we Can, Yes we Can! Change we can Believe in". GO Barack! You are trully God Sent! Sign Sealed Delivered! If not Barack then who? If not now then WHEN! No Words can discribe a Day like THIS! It rained in Cali today and the skies are clearer because OUR future will be Brighter tomorrow! GO Bless AMERICA!

Dawn (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:08 PM)

It's A free cup of coffee, why does everyone make such a big deal, if you want to bitch find something that at least matters.

Diane, Peoria, IL (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:08 PM)

Dawn Lopez, Fontana, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:09 PM)

Dawn Lopez, Fontana, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:10 PM)

Oh boy@ free coffee to go with my World Series free taco and the free Dr Pepper because G'n R is finally releasing Chinese Democracy! Where's my free dessert?

Mooch (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:11 PM)

Just a typical political protocol:
Starbucks cannot offer a free cup of joe to those who vote but.... a "volunteer" at my voting location can hand me an "example of the ballot" with all Republicans highlighted in bright yellow, as I am standing in line waiting to vote?
No wonder our country is where it is today...when you play dirty, you get dirty.

Catherine (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:11 PM)

Oh for heavens sake! Migraines, insomnia, etc, 'compliments of Starbucks'? Coffee has been around a lot longer thatn S'bucks has, and I've been drinking the stuff as and when I've felt like it for almost forty years, but the last time I wanted a cup of coffee no one from Starbucks showed up and held a gun to my head making me buy it from them.

Linda Madden (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:12 PM)

Indie Woman in Denver. You are mistaken. It isn't out of fear that a non-voting person may object to not getting a free coffee. Starbucks is worried about violating the laws that relate to giving gifts for voting. This is something that a state attorney general may go after them for.

Mike, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:12 PM)

Obama gets $300 million in shady and un-trackable campaign contributions, and no one bats an eye. Someone gives a cup of coffee away, and they're in jail.
Justice Denied (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:51 PM)

That's right! And, what about the early voters in FL being given Jimmy Buffet concert tickets if they said they voted for Obama? And, what about the Springsteen concerts that have beenoffered?

While Obama may have used the internet for fundraising, I hope his methods will be reviewed. There has to be some way to verify who is making the contributions...do you really think Putin and Mickey Mouse both contributed to Obama?

just say NObama, (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:12 PM)

wow, a lot of starbucks bashing and anti-obama sentiment. Personally i like starbucks coffee, but I would rather brew my own when I have time. Yes they went too far, much like McDonalds and WalMart, in putting stores everyhwere, but the American coffee consumer was willing to support it until recently. Caffeine makes a good portion of america go, and there are far worse habits than coffee drinking. In fact, the health benefits (reduced risk of certain cancers) probably outweigh the negatives for most people. Regarding the give-away, I didn't see how it would influence voters one way or the other.

Chris M, Philadelphia PA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:13 PM)

I have never seen so many people complain about something being free. It's a celebration of Election Day, and the HUGE voter turnout. Good for any company who wants to encourage people to vote! Shut up, stop whining! If you don't want a free coffee, then don't go and get one.

Laura, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:13 PM)

Would it seem that giving away stickers affiliated with parties to voters is a free gift, therefore against the law as well?

Roscoe, Washington, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:13 PM)

OMG, you people are bigger idiots than the MSNBC commentators

baxter, Denver, CO (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Why should you get a "gift" for doing your civic duty as an American. Get out there and vote for you and your country, not a stupid cup of coffee or a donut

Brian, Los Angeles CA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

What about Baskin Robbins and Ben & Jerry's (also companies giving free product to voters)? Starbucks has been a target of the media and hate for far too long now. I am a proud partner of Starbucks, worked this morning, and as much as I love and am used to my daily regular customers, I was delighted at the new faces requesting the advertised free tall coffee. and welcomed them, regardless of political preference. Starbucks is, indeed, a huge corporation, and has come full force in the last 20 years. But it's because of what it represents that this has happened: Diversity, Communities, and, perhaps most importantly, Jobs--with benefits for people of all ages and preferences, jobs for thousands of citizens in this country.

Lisa, Orlando, FL (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Wow...most of the comments on here are ridiculous. It a freaking free cup of coffee, not the end of the world. Lighten up, and enjoy the brew. I will be :-)

Sarah, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Silly folks, the law is in place to make sure that no corporations can 'buy' your vote. How about if Warren Buffett and Bill Gates got together and said "vote for us via absentee ballot and we'll give you a free car!", they'd win in a landslide. The law is a good one.
Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's, and Krispy Kreme are all doing some kind of promotion today, all trying to ride the popularity of this historic election, and also get you in the door of their business. So, go, get a free coffee, a doughnut, an ice cream. It's free.
And vote.

SanDiegoMark (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Eric of Salinas. You are right on. We need more Union manufacturing jobs here in America. Why should we pay $10,000 for a car made in Korea that we could build right here in the states for $20,000? Obama and Biden will see that we can and the extra $10,000 we need we can get from taxing the "rich". Right on!

Iva Rectanus (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

We need some good old union jobs to bolster the middle class and bang some heads like in the old days.

Right.

Unions = dinosaurs.

DS, Laguna Niguel (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

McCain voters would just spill it on themselves and then sue because it's "too hot."

Whiners (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Why are repugs so afraid of someone who will actually do something that will help them. The GOP never did a damned thing for working Americans. Don't believe me just take a look at your pension, health care or education options. I am looking forward to the neo-con Reagan-nitemare to end. There is real light at the end of the tunnel for the real Americans. For the gop-ers that means a name that doesn't end with .INC

NovaB, Arlington, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:14 PM)

Most people on this board are COMPLETE IDIOTS!!! It is illegal to buy votes or pay someone to vote. ATTENTION IDIOTS: What would happen if some organization can buy votes?

John Stephens (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:15 PM)

It is a good thing they aren't askong for a birth certificate! At least BHO can get a coffee.

Randy,Lyman,Wy (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:15 PM)

Hooray to Starbucks for getting into the spirit! Thank you, Starbucks.

Lorraine Curry, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:15 PM)

WOW! Sounds like a lot of angry people out there...chill, folks.

Frank Busse, Carbondale, CO (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:15 PM)

I happen to work for Starbucks in Lakewood Wa....... I think any type of prome... whether it is to encourage voters or just to lift spirts of people is a good thing! Are we really complaining about something that doesnt come that often now- a- days? get it together peole and go VOTE~! ( for OBAMA that is:) )

Adrienne Hood, Fed. way, WA (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:16 PM)

Oh people please...quit whining will you all? Why are you waisting your time whining about a free cup of coffee? No one said YOU had to go get one. I think it's a nice gesture and maybe they are just trying to get people to get out there and vote- Nothing wrong with that! Don't you have better things to worry about than what Starbucks is doing>

Jamie Jet Oregon, WI (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:16 PM)

Silly... it's a free cup of coffee, what's the big deal. This country has more to worry about.

Scott, St. Louis, MO (Sent Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:16 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1636104