Shops and restaurants elect to offer freebies to voters today

To encourage people to vote, several businesses -- including restaurants, coffee shops, salons and bars -- are doling out freebies and discounts on election day, despite some concerns about whether such promotions are legal.

"We can't guarantee that your candidate of preference will win on Nov. 4," said Chef Ron Rupocinski of Krispy Kreme, which will give out star-shaped doughnuts to customers at select locations. "But we can guarantee that your right to voice your choice will be rewarded with a patriotic doughnut that will remind you just how tasty freedom really is."

The "I Voted" sticker will be good for a free appetizer at most Daily Grill restaurants, a bottle of Jones Soda or draft beer at Pitfire Pizza locations in downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood, and 50% off all salon services at Cristophe salons, which include shops in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.

"It's such an important, crucial election," said owner Cristophe Schatteman, whose clients have included Bill Clinton.

"I wanted to drive people to the voting polls. I think by offering all our services at 50% off, we hopefully encourage the younger demographic to go and vote."

Even without the promise of freebies, the oval "I Voted" stickers are always a hit, said Marcia Ventura, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County registrar's office.

"People like them," she said. "If they've lost theirs, they'll come back and ask for another one."

Ventura said all voters who cast their ballots at the polls today would receive a sticker; more than 4.3 million people in L.A. County had registered to vote as of Monday.

Although questions have been raised about the legality of these kinds of promotions, dozens of Southern California stores said Monday that they were going ahead with their plans.

One problem with the promotions is that they are considered incentives to vote, which is illegal under federal law, said Kate Folmar, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The issue "comes up every election season," she added.

"It's great that companies and groups want to encourage voting, but the law prohibits any commercialization of the vote," Folmar said. "Our office, along with federal agencies, is getting the word out to businesses about the law."