Free stuff for voting and things to do while bored in line waiting to vote

After my boss texted me that he had a two-hour wait at the polls this morning, I grabbed a new book (Wild Swans by Jung Chang) and headed to my polling place ready to get a few chapters read. But I waited just five minutes to vote. Five. It took longer to get to the polling place. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. On the one hand, I got my free Starbucks coffee faster, but on the other hand, does that mean people in my precinct aren't voting? I'll just allow myself to think that they all voted early or will be meandering in later today.


My free Starbucks (Thanksgiving blend - very yummy) and my Georgia Peach voter sticker.

And speaking of free Starbucks - here is a whole slew of free items you can enjoy after voting (you don't have to prove that you voted - apparently that is illegal - thank you anonymous commenter - and some places are regional and promotions probably vary from place to place):

- Ben & Jerry's: Free scoop of ice cream between 5-8pm. (locate)
- Books-A-Million: Free cup of coffee (locate
- California Tortilla: Free taco (locate)
- Chick-fil-A: "Several hundred" of 1,400 Chick-fil-A restaurants are handing out chicken sandwiches (the kind normally $2.70) to adults (locate)
- Krispy Kreme: Free star-shaped doughnut with "patriotic sprinkles". USA Today reports that 85 of 231 Krispy Kreme locations will participate. (locate)
- Shane's Rib Shack: A free "Celebrate America Meal": 3-piece chicken tenders, fries, and 20-ounce drink—to the first 300 customers at participating locations, according to their press release. (locate)
- Starbucks: Free tall coffee at "any Starbucks." Just tell them you want your voter coffee and see their recent TV ads. (locate)
- Vote & Vax: National project by non-profits to offer free flu vaccinations on Election Day. (locate)

And even though I only waited five minutes, you may have to wait longer in line, so here is a *list of items to keep you preoccupied while you wait to vote.

1. Try to develop psychic powers, then use 'em.
2. Inflate a beachball and throw it around the area.
3. Sing show tunes.
4. Make loud animal noises then deny doing it.
5. Think of new pick-up lines. See if they work.
6. Pretend you're flying a jet fighter in the war.
7. Churn some butter.
8. Conceive a brand new language.
9. Is the ground made of bricks or tiles? Count 'em.
10. Plot revenge against someone.
11. Think of nicknames for everyone around you.
12. See how long you can hold your breath.
13. Take your pants off and give them to the next person in line.
14. Chew on your arm until someone notices.
15. Change spots every three minutes.
16. Think of ways to cheat at Trivial Pursuit.
17. Shave.
18. Run across the area, tag someone and say, "You're it."
19. Announce to the line that you are God and that you're angry.
20. Think of five new ways to use your shoes.
21. Start a wave.
22. Walk around the line begging for spare change.
23. Roast marshmallows.
24. Practice phrasing your answers in the form of a question.
25. Crawl around the line humming the music from Mission Impossible.
26. Take apart your purse.
27. Pretend to communicate with your home planet.
28. Play rock-paper-scissors with yourself. Accuse your left hand of cheating.
29. Do a quick tapdance routine.
30. Try bird-watching.
31. Walk up the line yelling, "Popcorn! Hot popcorn here!"
32. Throw your purse at someone.
33. Run to a car window, then say, "Sorry, I thought I saw the Bat-signal."
34. Ask the person in front of you to marry you.
35. Start laughing really hard and say, "Oh, now I get it."
36. Make a sundial.
37. Give yourself a new identity.
38. Write a screenplay about a diabetic Swedish girl who can't swim.
39. Dig an escape tunnel.
40. Announce your candidacy for President.

*I ripped most of this list from another website, but I don't remember where. And I altered it to make it appropriate for voting, but all in all I don't have that much time on my hands to create such an extensive list. Though you thought I was really creative there for a sec, didn't you?