Ohio store promises to pay for furniture purchases if voter turnout reaches 69 percent

Credit: Gaston De Cardenas

Credit: Gaston De Cardenas

Morris Furniture announced Tuesday that it will pay for customer furniture purchases if the Ohio voter turnout on Nov. 8 reaches 69 percent in the presidential election.

The election promotion to commemorate the company’s 69th anniversary begins Wednesday and runs through Nov. 7. Customers must buy $1,499 worth of furniture.

“Ohio is once again the center of attention as candidates, their surrogates and the media cross the state on the campaign trail. We think this will be one of the most important elections in our country’s history,” said Larry Klaben, president and CEO of Morris Furniture Company.

The promotion measures the turnout of eligible voters in Ohio. Customers who make a minimum purchase of $1,499 on furniture, mattresses and accessories before 9 p.m. on Nov. 7 will get their purchase free if at least 6 million votes are cast for president in Ohio as reported by the Ohio Board of Elections.

In 2012, about 64 percent of eligible voters turned out for the election. In 2008, about 68 percent of eligible Ohio voters came out.

The promotion involves Morris stores, including Morris Home Furnishings and Ashley HomeStore, located in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, and Florence, Ky.

Morris Furniture Company ran a similar promotion at its 15 stores for people who bought $1,999 or more of furniture between Dec. 17, 2014, and Jan. 1, 2015. The company said it would refund the money customers paid if the Ohio State football team won by 7 points or more against the University of Oregon Ducks.

More than 500 customers won free furniture when Ohio State won. The promotion cost the store nearly $1.5 million in furniture with the Buckeye’s 42-20 win.

“This is the first time our company has created anything like this. It’s exciting to encourage every eligible voter to get out and vote. Ohio is once again a key battleground state with all eyes focused on how our citizens decide the future direction of our country. With just a few weeks left before the election, Ohio will be the center of attention for all candidates and news organizations,” said Robert Klaben, Morris Furniture Company vice president of advertising and marketing.

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