$1 million for every US voter? Here's why world's richest man Elon Musk is giving away money to voters ahead of polls
Elon Musk has recently launched a provocative initiative, offering voters the chance to win up to $1 million for signing a petition that supports constitutional rights. As the Tesla CEO intensifies his support for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, this effort has raised questions among election law experts about its legality. Musk’s super PAC, Elon's America PAC, is promoting this campaign primarily in battleground states, including Pennsylvania, leading to discussions about whether these financial incentives may violate federal election laws.
Financial Incentives for Signing Petitions
The initiative is set to reward Pennsylvania voters with a daily prize of $1 million for signing the petition advocating for the First and Second Amendments. Voters in other crucial swing states can earn $47 for each signature referral they provide. Musk aims to gather one million signatures, but this campaign has sparked a debate over whether these financial incentives could breach federal election regulations.
Legal Concerns Raised by Experts
Federal law explicitly prohibits compensating individuals to register or cast a vote, with violations carrying the risk of imprisonment. However, Musk’s offer revolves around signing a petition rather than directly influencing voting or registration, which leaves the legal implications somewhat ambiguous. Richard Hasen, an election law expert, suggested that Musk’s approach might still be illegal depending on the underlying intent. He stated, “It’s similar to offering free food for voters wearing ‘I Voted’ stickers,” indicating that such actions could be construed as indirect inducements to participate in the electoral process, which may violate federal law.
