Campaign Offers Ice Cream to Any Early Voter Showing Sticker in New York House Race

Darializa Avila Chevalier’s campaign is offering a free cup of ice cream from Sugar Hill Creamery to early voters who show their “I Voted” sticker. The giveaway applies to anyone who voted early, regardless of candidate, and the token is redeemable only at Sugar Hill Creamery locations in Harlem.

The campaign promoted the promotion on Instagram, telling voters to “Vote early and keep your sticker” so they can exchange it for the token.

A representative for Sugar Hill Creamery said the business has run similar programs with local churches and other community partners. ” He added that the giveaway violates two federal statutes and could be punishable by fines and up to two years in prison.

Federal law states that “offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate” is illegal.

Avila Chevalier, 32, is running to unseat Adriano Espaillat, 71, who has served in Congress since 2017 and chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The campaign does not require proof that voters supported Avila Chevalier. Espaillat is backed by the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Latino Victory Fund, and BOLD America.

Avila Chevalier is backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Giveaways for voting have risen in popularity over the last two decades as local businesses and community leaders seek to promote turnout. Sugar Hill Creamery said the offer is open to anyone in the community who voted early.