Every four years during the U.S. presidential campaign, 7-Eleven launches its popular 7-Election coffee cup poll. The campaign invites customers to "cast their cups" by purchasing coffee in specially marked 7-Election cups. Starting Wednesday, Aug. 31, coffee-lovers can choose from three – blue Democrat, red Republican and, new this year, a nonpartisan, purple Speak Up cup.

7-Eleven customers can cast their cup votes simply by purchasing their coffee throughout the day. Voting will end on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Patriotic coffee-drinkers can vote at participating 7-Eleven stores and, unlike the real election, as often as they want in the weeks leading up to the election.

"This is 7-Eleven's fifth 7-Election, and it's always a fun way to keep a finger on the caffeinated pulse of American politics," said Laura Gordon, 7-Eleven vice president of marketing and brand innovation. "Weeks before 7-Election cups appeared in stores, we were getting calls about whether we were going to hold another coffee cup poll for the 2016 election. We think it's the best-tasting poll around."

The 2016 election is big, and so are this year's 7-Election cups – 7-Eleven's premium extra-large Stay Hot cups. However, the price is not. The extra-large 7-Election cups are value priced between the suggested/regular retail prices of medium and large 7-Eleven hot beverage cups.

For those not interested in taking sides, the new "Speak Up" cup encourages customers to discuss or write in what's important to them this election season and share on social media with the hashtag #7ELECTION. Issues big and small from world peace and equal rights to slow Internet speeds and traffic jams are included in a "Make Your Voices Heard" section on the back of the cup. Non-partisan coffee-drinkers also can write in their own issue – or candidate – on the back of the cup.

"While preparing for the 2016 count-the-cups poll, we learned that voters, particularly younger ones, aren't just talking about candidates or even political parties this election. They're taking to social media to talk about a variety of issues that are important to them," Gordon said. "So we added the third 'Speak Out' cup to let people say what's on their mind, whether checking one of the boxes on the back of the cup or writing one in and sharing it."

To encourage even higher turnout, Free Coffee Week is slated for Oct. 3-9, when any size cup of fresh-brewed coffee will be free for 7Rewards® members. Available through the 7-Eleven mobile app, a 7Rewards coupon for one free any-size cup of coffee will be sent daily to members.

During Free Coffee Week, 7Rewards members will receive a daily coupon for one free cup of coffee, any size. Consumers wanting to take advantage of the week of free coffee can download the 7-Eleven mobile app from the App Store or GooglePlay so they can take advantage of this great offer.

But, wait! That's not all. After each of the three presidential debates, 7-Eleven will host a Dollar Day to encourage day-after feedback on the debate. Dollar Days are scheduled for Sept. 27, Oct. 10 and 20. The retailer will also offer dollar coffee on Election Day, Nov. 8, to encourage people to vote with their cups one last time before the real ballots are counted. The dollar offers are only available on 7-Election cups through the 7Rewards app.

7-Eleven cups are instantly tabulated at the register when the sale is made. Starting Sept. 6, national, state and major city results will be posted daily on www.7election.com, a website created especially for the coffee cup poll. Poll tallies will reflect the percentage of the three cups sold to date.

"Each day, more than 1 million Americans buy a cup of coffee at 7-Eleven stores," said Rusty Smith, 7-Eleven director of proprietary beverage brands. "7-Election is a warmup for the real election Nov. 8 and gets people talking about what party and what issues are important to them. Most polls measure only hundreds or thousands of voters. 7-Election has the potential to survey millions leading up to Election Day. We think the new 'Speak Up' cup provides a great way for our loyal coffee customers to let their voices be heard during the 2016 election."

After working with satirical website, The Onion, for the 2012 election, 7-Eleven has once again teamed up with America's Finest News Source to help get out the vote and a few laughs. The retailer is sponsoring The Onion's special election coverage, which will include links to the interactive 7-Election results map. An Election Survival Guide, Onion-style, will include topics like "Ways to Diffuse Tension during a Political Conversation," "Election Day Social Media Etiquette" and "How to Handle Your Candidate's Defeat."

With 7-Election, the convenience retailer has been an entertaining part of the political conversation during the past four presidential elections in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. In each of the previous 7-Elections, a staggering 6 million cups (ballots) were cast, and results in each mirrored those in the "real" elections.

While a nonpartisan beverage enjoyed by Democrats and Republicans alike, coffee does have deep political roots in American history. In 1607, Captain John Smith of Virginia introduced coffee in America, and it was named the national beverage by the First Continental Congress after the Boston Tea Party.

7-Election cups count toward the retailer's 7Rewards "Buy Six, Get the Seventh Free" drink offer available on the 7-Eleven mobile app in the United States.

In addition to coffee, the 7Rewards program includes 7-Eleven Slurpee®, Big Gulp® and Chillers® drinks. The 7 Eleven mobile app is available in the Apple App Store or GooglePlay.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven® operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 60,000 stores in 17 countries, including 10,700 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee®, Big Bite® and Big Gulp®, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings, cheeseburgers and hot chicken sandwiches. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select® brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers also count on 7-Eleven for bill payments, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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SOURCE 7-Eleven

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