'I voted' sticker will get you a treat Tuesday

Voting on Tuesday could make you fat.

Your "I voted" sticker will net you:

* a free red, white and blue star-shaped Krispy Kreme doughnut at the Triangle's lone Krispy Kreme store on Person Street in Raleigh.

* a red velvet cupcake with white frosting and blue sprinkles at Watts Grocery in Durham.

* and a free tall cup of Starbucks coffee at any company-owned store (the stand-alone shops -- not the ones in airports, malls and stores).

According to the polls, turnout will be big.

Folks at Krispy Kreme anticipate handing out 2,000 doughnuts.

Chef Amy Tornquist at Watts Grocery plans to make about 200 cupcakes to give out.

"We're a neighborhood restaurant and our neighbors are active politically," she said. "We have some regulars who are kind of coming to watch the results here. I think it will be a festive day."

While Tornquist may have an activist bent, most businesses jump on the political bandwagon because it's easy and generates good will, said Robert Passikoff, president of Brand Keys, a New York firm that studies consumer loyalty.

"It's a one-day 'get someone in and hope they come here instead of go some place else' promotion," he said.

If you voted early, you will still be able to get the free stuff -- just take your "I voted" sticker.

At Ben & Jerry's you won't even need that for free ice cream between 5 and 8 p.m.

"It's a celebration for everyone, not just those that voted," said spokeswoman Liz Brenna. "Especially because kids can't vote. How unfair would that be?"