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Vote and get free coffee, donuts and a felony???

By Jimmy Orr / November 4, 2008

Krispy Kreme/AP

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If having your say in who will be the 44th President of the United States isn't incentive enough to get out and vote, then how about free Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, or Ben and Jerry's ice cream?

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These companies and many more across the nation are offering freebies just for being patriotic.

Free stuff

Not in the Joe Biden "be a patriot" way.  But, at Starbucks, just for saying you voted.  For Krispy Kreme -- all you have to do is wear an "I voted" sticker.

It's even simpler at Ben and Jerry's.   The two step process is:  1)  Show up.  2)  Have a pulse.

It makes you want to break out and sing Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" - doesn't it?

Felony?

Well, not so fast.   Seems there are legal restrictions afoot.

Take the State of Georgia where the motto is "Wisdom, Justice and Moderation."

Requiring someone to say they voted in order to receive a free coffee - that's a felony.

Here's the Georgia state law:

“Any person who gives or receives, or offers to give or receive, or participates in the giving or receiving of money or gifts for the purpose of registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate in any primary or election shall be guilty of a felony.”

Get out of jail free card

No word if an individual would get the electric chair upon conviction.  But thankfully Starbucks and Krispy Kreme have modified the promotion so you aren't required to break the law in order to get free stuff.

"To ensure we are in compliance with election law, we are extending our offer to all customers who request a tall brewed coffee," said Starbucks' spokeswoman Tara Darrow.

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