Free Coffee at Starbucks on Election Day!

Neither of the presidential candidates are promising a chicken in every pot, but Starbucks is giving a free cup of coffee to Americans who vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th. According to a video on the coffee seller's Web site (and seen as an advertisement on various videos online, including Saturday Night Live), people just have to walk into a Starbucks location and say
"I voted," and they will be given a free tall cup of brewed coffee.

The video doesn't give any specific hours for the voting promotion, so it seems the offer is good during all hours that a given Starbucks location is open. And the video doesn't mention having to provide any proof that a person has voted, or even if they are registered or eligible to vote, or are of legal voting age, or are a U.S. citizen.

Basically it sounds like if you look like you might be 18 years old and can speak the words "I vote," you've got your free cup of coffee.

Now, what about people who vote in the evening, say, after work? Will they be given a free cup of coffee in the daytime if they say "I'm going to vote"?

NEWS FLASH: Starbucks Closes; World Keeps Turning

The much-feared (by many people) Starbucks closing has come and gone, and there have been no reports of people jumping out of windows or collapsing from caffeine withdrawal. Yes, the coffee chain that seems to have a shop on every corner closed for three and a half hours to retrain its staff on how to make good coffee and offer good customer service, and the world did not come to an end.

And not only will the sun rise tomorrow, but it promises to be a brighter day for everyone: Coffee! excellence! Improved customer service! Happier baristas! Yes, the sun will come out tomorrow... bet your bottom dollar! Or rather five dollars, since we're talking Starbucks.