Nov 1, 2008 7:59 pm US/Pacific
Free Coffee, Donuts On Election Day May Be Illegal
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Starbucks introduced its retro logo earlier this year. (File)
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
Starbucks and Krispy Kreme want to give you free coffee and doughnuts just for doing your civic duty, but California's state law might get in the way.
Starbucks is offering a free cup of coffee on Tuesday to customers who say they voted. Likewise, Krispy Kreme will give customers a doughnut in the shape of a star, with red, white and blue sprinkles, to anyone showing the traditional "I Voted" sticker at participating locations.
However, 20 years ago, another doughnut company ran afoul of California Elections Code section 18521 (b), which prohibits rewarding people for voting or not voting. A companion California statute contains similar language. Violating the law carries a prison sentence of 16 months to three years.
The law is meant to stop people from being bribed with money, food or alcohol.
A spokeswoman for Starbucks says the company is aware of the California laws, but that the coffee giveaway is being framed "more in the tradition of democracy and celebrating it."
She said the Starbucks was not violating the law because "we are using the honor system and not asking for any proof that anyone voted."
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