Ben and Jerry's offered free ice cream to voters nationwide from 5-8 pm. Ben and Jerry's was just one of many retail scores to dish out freebies today. Starbucks poured free coffee, Krispy Kreme offered free doughnuts, Chick-fil-A provided free sandwiches, and the adult store Babeland gave out free vibrators. However, offering something in exchange for votes is considered voter bribery and is illegal under federal law, so stores must give out the freebies to anyone, not just those wearing an "I Voted" sticker.
Jessica Cruz, 18, left, and her 17-year-old friend are the first people to arrive for the event at the Ben and Jerry's at 104th and Broadway in Manhattan. Cruz, a senior at St. Michael's Academy, a private school in midtown, voted for Obama.
Customers wait out front an hour beforehand.
Thia Stephen argues with newcomers who arrive at the store after her. Ben and Jerry's scoopers said the line started at the door, but Stephen had been sitting on the bench outside the store. "But what about the fact that we have been waiting here for an hour?" Stephen says angrily. At that point, she had been waiting for about half an hour.
Amanda Bauman waits in line to be the first to receive a free scoop of ice cream. "I'm very proud," says Bauman, of being the first, "Even if it is only on a technicality."
"I waited in line for an hour and a half to vote, so what's another hour for ice cream?" says one person in line.
Daniella Garcia and Tracey Cole hold free Starbucks coffee from across the street. The two, both sophomores at Columbia, found out about the event from Facebook. Both are first-time voters. Garcia and Cole arrive after 5, and by then the line was halfway down 104th Street. "I'll wait a few minutes," Garcia says. "I think the line will move fast."
The line grows as passersby become curious.
Jude Geiger is the 63rd person on line at 4:55. He is fine with waiting—he waited 45 minutes to vote this morning in Brooklyn. "I'm kind of excited this many people got excited to vote this year," say Geiger. "I have never waited more than 20 minutes before."
Thia Stephen, an actress and director, and Scott Lindroth, a classical singer, were the 5th and 6th people in line. Stephen voted this morning and Lindroth voted absentee in Michigan. "I think I am going to get the Colbert special or any of the more progressive flavors," Stephen says. The two struck up a conversation while waiting -- and then exchanged numbers.
Jessica Cruz enjoys sweet rewards for voting.
When the clock strikes 8, one hour before the polls close in New York, ice cream will no longer be free.
