Election Day 2026 Brings Free COTA Transit and Food Deals Across Central Ohio
Central Ohio Transit Authority is waiving fares on Tuesday alongside food discounts from restaurant chains, while federal law bars paying people to vote.
An 'Ohio Voted' sticker displayed as voters wait in line at a polling location.
Credit: WSYX / ABC 6 Image source
As voters head to polling places across central Ohio on Tuesday, Nov. 3, transit agencies and restaurant chains are offering fare-free rides, travel discounts and food promotions.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority is waiving transit fares across its system for all customers on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Under the Election Day initiative, passengers can ride without paying fares, including on fixed-route buses, COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On-Demand and COTA//Plus.
Promotions are also available through rideshare and micromobility mobile applications. Lime is offering two 30-minute rides for free with the promotional code "HEADCOUNT." Lyft is providing 50% off rides until 10 p.m. with the code "VOTE26."
Food and beverage chains are also running promotions. Krispy Kreme is offering customers a free Original Glazed doughnut with an "I Voted" sticker. Customers can get buy-one-get-one free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. Members of Jimmy John's rewards program can receive buy-one-get-one sandwiches by using the code "SANDWICH." Capriotti's rewards members can get buy-one-get-one 50% off subs through the chain's program.
While promotions often coincide with voting, federal law restricts incentives connected to casting ballots. Under Title 52 of the U.S. Code, anyone who pays or offers to pay either for registration to vote or for voting faces fines of up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison. Official election guidance notes that any type of incentive is considered payment under federal voting law, including cookies or admission to entertainment events.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (2)
The Central Ohio Transit Authority is waiving transit fares across its system for all customers on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Read supporting passage
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is waiving all transit fares for all customers on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Under the Election Day initiative, passengers can ride without paying fares, including on fixed-route buses, COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On-Demand and COTA//Plus.
Read supporting passage
On Election Day, customers can board any COTA transit vehicle at no cost. This includes COTA’s fixed-route system, COTA Mainstream, Mainstream On-Demand and COTA//Plus.
https://moneysavingmom.com/election-day-freebies-and-deals/
Supporting evidence (6)
Lime is offering two 30-minute rides for free with the promotional code "HEADCOUNT."
Read supporting passage
Lime – Use the code HEADCOUNT for two 30 minute rides for FREE.
Lyft is providing 50% off rides until 10 p.m. with the code "VOTE26."
Read supporting passage
Lyft – Use code VOTE26 for 50% off from 5am-10pm.
Krispy Kreme is offering customers a free Original Glazed doughnut with an "I Voted" sticker.
Read supporting passage
Krispy Kreme – All customers will receive a FREE Original Glazed Doughnut with an “I Voted” sticker.
Customers can get buy-one-get-one free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Read supporting passage
Buffalo Wild Wings – Get BOGO FREE Wings.
Members of Jimmy John's rewards program can receive buy-one-get-one sandwiches by using the code "SANDWICH."
Read supporting passage
Jimmy John’s – JJ Rewards members who use the code SANDWICH, can get BOGO Sandwiches.
Capriotti's rewards members can get buy-one-get-one 50% off subs through the chain's program.
Read supporting passage
Capriotti’s – Rewards members will be BOGO 50% off subs.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/52/10307
Supporting evidence (1)
Under Title 52 of the U.S. Code, anyone who pays or offers to pay either for registration to vote or for voting faces fines of up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison.
Read supporting passage
pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both
https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/NoIncentives.aspx
Supporting evidence (1)
Official election guidance notes that any type of incentive is considered payment under federal voting law, including cookies or admission to entertainment events.
Read supporting passage
Federal law makes it unlawful in an election in which there is a federal contest on the ballot (e.g., President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative) to knowingly and willfully pay, offer to pay, or accept payment for registering to vote or for voting. (52 U.S.C. §10307(c).) Violations are punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Any type of incentive is considered “payment,” even things as seemingly innocent as cookies or admission to an entertainment event.