All words by Elsie Yang
To say that the 2020 election is of the utmost importance is a bit (read: a lot) like saying that 2020 has been unexpected. And luckily, pollsters are suggesting that voter turnout during this year’s election will be record-shattering, sending a surge of citizens to voting locations or to their mailboxes (because yes, you can mail in your ballot).
And while there’s plenty of individual action and energy headed into November 3, 2020, there are also a number of brands making the GOTV effort a core part of not only their marketing, but their offerings, too. With less than a month to go before one of, if not the most, important elections of our lifetime, companies are no longer sitting idly by. Bringing new life to the notion of corporate citizenry are a few of our favorite brands who are using their voice and their reach to encourage their buyers to get to the polls. Here are just a few of our favorites.
For DC locals looking to stress eat:
Blue Point x Headcount action page
What’s more American than drinking beer? If you ask the team at Blue Point, it’s the act of exercising your civic duty (and right) — heading to the polls. The brewery has a wide range of paraphernalia and campaign materials to encourage its loyal customers to get out the vote, and has also previously offered a Voter’s Day Off IPA (which is absolutely delicious if you ever manage to get your hands on a can).
The local favorite pizzeria is teaming up with the local favorite brewery to bring you a $20.20 deal that will last through Tuesday evening. The All Purpose website is currently showing polling places for DMV residents, and then rewarding the exercise of civic duty with a $20 pizza and a $0.20 can of DC Brau VOTE Kristallweizen. These artisan pizzas are sure to lift your spirits regardless of the night’s outcome; favorites include the Childish Bambino (tomato, mozz, smoked bacon, Italian sausage, and pepperoni) and the Sedgewick (whipped ricotta, mozz, taleggio, parm, truffle, and chives).
If you need some liquid courage to get you through the night, Immigrant Food near the White House is offering half-off its new beverage menu on Tuesday, November 3. Pair it with some of the restaurant’s classic immigrant-inspired dishes (like my favorite chicken wings in D.C.) and show your support of immigrants both at and beyond the polls.
For some morning fuel, head to any one of Fresh Baguette’s three locations (Georgetown, Rockville, and Bethesda) for a free coffee and miniature croissant. To be fair, you don’t have to go in the morning (because croissants and voting are good all day) — the deal runs from 7am to 6pm.
Money Muscle is new to the food scene in DC, but this black-owned barbecue food truck is certainly here to stay with big, down home flavors. For election night, owners Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer are offering a full spread of barbecue mains, sides, and dessert for $39. Because you’ll certainly need some stick-to-your-ribs southern cooking to power through what is sure to be a long night of vote counting and television-staring. You can place orders for the dinner package online.
Atlas Ivy City Brewery & Tap Room
If you show your “I Voted’ sticker at Atlas Brew Works, you’ll get a 5- or 7-ounce taste of one of its beers with the purchase of any other item. We’re big fans of the pizza at the Half Street location, and frankly, all of the beers at this brewery are winners.
The sandwich shop occupying what was once Beuchert’s Saloon in Capitol Hill is worth a visit regardless of what night of the week it may be, what with killer crab dip and a truly delicious kung pao cauliflower sub, but it’s especially noteworthy on Tuesday night. The restaurant is offering a presidential candidate sandwich menu that includes “Trumped Up” — a ketchup-glazed meatloaf sandwich on white bread, and the Bobbie, a new spin on Biden’s favorite sandwich from a Delaware shop that includes roasted turkey, sausage stuffing, potato mayo, and cranberry sauce on a hoagie. There are also themed drinks like Covfefe, Drink the Bleach, and Winning Ticket, all in Fight Club’s signature bottled format.
Whether you need to be distracted from Tuesday evening with some DIY pizza making, or need someone to do the cooking for you with some hot, fresh pizzas, Pizzeria Paradiso has you covered. The “Glued & Focused” package comes with two 12-inch pizzas, whereas the “Distract and Entertain” option comes with two build-your-own pizza kits for at-home activity. Both options are $60 and also include three appetizers, and you can add a six-pack of DC Brau’s VOTE beer or dessert for $20.
The brilliant New York-based bakery that recently made its way to DC, brioche donuts and cinnamon buns and all, is offering a sweet deal for voters on Tuesday. Come in with proof that you voted (a sticker will do) and you’ll get a free chocolate chip cookie.
The popular sandwich shop at the Wharf started a pizza popup a few weeks ago, and it’s now back to appease taste buds and tear ducts across the city. Preorder today, Monday November 2, for pickup on election day between 5pm and 8pm. There are only 50 pies available, and there’s a new Kevin Logan option that comes with Logan hot Italian sausage, peppers, onions and oregano. These pan pizzas are personal sized, but you’ll find room in your heart to share with the person getting you through the night.
Blue Duck Tavern Election Night Survival Dinner Kit:
If you’re looking for a fancy escape from reality come November 3, you can turn to the Blue Duck Tavern. The DC fine dining institution’s Election Night Survival Dinner Kit features a whopping seven dishes to ease the stress of election day. Priced at $95 per couple, plus tax and fees, the package starts with two Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with watercress and a lemon-caper remoulade and Duck Drumettes with a spicy secret sauce. Then, you’ll be able to pick an entree like Smoked Bone-In Short Rib with house-made steak sauce or Pasture-Raised Half Chicken with broccolini and charred lemon. And to really ease election night blues, you’ll finish your meal with the restaurant’s signature Apple Pie. Of course, no dinner would be complete without cocktails, so the Tavern’s beverage team has created two 16oz non-partisan cocktails, each made with local spirits. Blue Duck Tavern’s Super PAC: Election Night Survival Dinner Kit will be available exclusively for carryout and delivery November 2-3, 2020.
Babe Wine Election Night Survival Kit
You’ll need a lot to get through election night in one piece, and Babe Wine is here to help. Once you’ve voted, check out this curated box of items that includes:
- A ball to squeeze so you don’t go off on Twitter
- Tissues in case you decide to shed a tear for dramatic effect
- Pillow to give your TV a break from being yelled at
- Bottle of BABE’s “Polls Closing. Bottles Opening.” Red Wine to celebrate casting your ballot
- Four-pack of BABE Rosé for your election night watch party
BABE’s Election Night Survival Kit is available for purchase on drinkbabe.net for $29.99.
Even if you’re the most dedicated traditionalist there is, you won’t want for anything when trying Brave Robot’s animal-free dairy ice cream. And now, the company is offering a For the Future Fix for customers to either celebrate or commiserate the 2020 election season, with all proceeds going toward supporting youth STEM education.
Each For The Future Fix includes two packages — one filled with “get out the vote for the future” stickers and swag, along with tips, conversation topics and facts to support the smarter, kinder, gentler world they hope can come through voting. And then, a few days before the election, Brave Robot will ship a four-pack of pints, which will include their newest limited-time flavor: For The Future, a creamy vanilla ice cream with sweet fudge caramel swirls and crunchy cookie chunks on top.
The plant-based food company recently launched a new campaign to mobilize voices ahead of the 2020 election. The brand is distinctly attuned to environmental and food policies, as well as legislation that helps to ensure food security, and knows that the vote is the only way to bring those policies to fruition.
In addition to their new marketing campaign, all Forager Project employees are given paid time off from work to vote and make sure their voices are heard.
The clothing and accessories brand is partnering with a wide range of organizations, including Sierra Club, a longtime conservation organization, to release a new collection of apparel and accessories on Oct. 7th to motivate and inspire Americans to cast a vote in favor of Mother Nature. Select items from the line are emblazoned with the ‘Vote for the Environment’ to encourage customers, both environmental activists and casual national park goers alike, to hit the polls this November.
The line includes long and short sleeve tees, fleece sweatshirt and jogger sets, a bucket cap, pinch-front hat, and a tote, all inspired by the Sierra Club’s nature photography archives. The collection champions ending pollution and investing in solar and other renewable energies.
Partnerships with National Geographic, The Lumineers, Urban Outfitters, and Society6 have also allowed the brand to give back to specific conservation efforts focused on protecting our national parks. Thus far, Parks Project has made over $1 million in donations to more than 60 conservatories that ensure the projects they’re committing to make the biggest impact. And come October 23, they’ll be launching a limited collaboration with Girlfriend Collective to encourage customers to “Adventure Responsibly.”
The kitchenware brand is taking a stand this Election Day with a national billboard campaign: “America is Our Place.” In order to highlight the distinct diversity that is integral to the American identity, Our Place is teaming up with Vote.org to stand-up six billboards currently on display in six swing states (including Iowa, Florida, and North Carolina) to depict the modern American family portrait. By holding up a mirror to showcase what other Americans look like and why this election means more to them than ever before, Our Place hopes to encourage and empower the community to vote.
My statement piece of the season comes from Naturalizer, the incredibly comfortable yet chic shoe brand behind my favorite VOTE boots. In partnership with The Outrage, whose mission is to advance equality and empower females, Naturalizer has created a limited-edition VOTE boot with the goal of empowering women everywhere to exercise their power at the polls in November. All proceeds from boot sales benefit nonpartisan nonprofit organization, She Should Run, in hopes of increasing the number of women considering a run for public office.
You can literally become a walking billboard by donning a shirt from this Black-owned tech startup that uses technology to protect Black people from racism and xenophobia. In a new-fangled form of “wearable activism,” ILBP will uses technology to encourage voting through their signature black and white t-shirts equipped with QR codes that can be scanned with any smartphone camera to reveal information on voter registration, early voting and absentee ballot targeted to the geographic location of where the t-shirts are scanned.
Supporters of their work are encouraged to visit ILoveBlackPeople.com to purchase and donate these threads with purpose to outfit volunteers in battleground states including Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. ILBP is partnering with Black-owned and Black-friendly businesses in eight essential categories (hospitality, beauty, food, finance, education, child care, health and transportation) to distribute the t-shirts to volunteers.
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