MILWAUKEE » Voters will pick a new leader for the country today, and maybe pick up some free coffee, ice cream and other goodies too.

But some authorities question whether such giveaways run afoul of election rules.

Starbucks Corp. is offering a free cup of “;tall”; coffee to anyone who reports voting today, while Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. is giving away star-shaped doughnuts. Ice cream maker Ben and Jerry's is offering a free scoop to anyone, as part of a celebration of the election.

Most aren't requiring any proof of voting. Starbucks said it's using the honor system to dole out coffee.

“;If you care enough to vote, we care enough to give you a free cup of coffee,”; says an ad on the company's Web site.

But that could be construed as rewarding someone for voting and could violate federal and state law, said David Ammons, spokesman for the state elections division of Washington state, the home of Starbucks.

He said the state's attorney general's office contacted Starbucks yesterday, telling the company it was against the law.

Several Starbucks representatives did not immediately respond to calls and e-mails seeking reaction to that request.

Ammons said officials wouldn't press for prosecution. The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the issue.

By late afternoon yesterday, more than 127,000 people had indicated they would take advantage of the coffee giveaway on the online networking site Facebook.

Ammons suggested Starbucks offer a promotion not specifically tied to voting like Ben and Jerry's, which will be giving a free scoop to each customer at its shops from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

The company said in a statement it had planned to give free scoops only to people who voted but learned that certain laws may not allow it. Instead, it's celebrating the election with a “;national party,”; said Walt Freese, Ben and Jerry's chief euphoria officer.

Krispy Kreme is giving star-shaped doughnuts with red, white and blue sprinkles to anyone who mentions the promotion.