Elon Musk's campaign group, America PAC, has raised concerns about the legality of cash incentives offered to swing-state voters who sign a petition before the US election, which was created to support Donald Trump in the presidential race.
Pennsylvania voters are being given money just for signing the petition. Additionally, a million dollars is being awarded to one random swing-state signatory every day.
However, according to legal experts, offering money in exchange for someone signing up to vote might be illegal in the United States.
What does Musk present?
America PAC has launched a petition encouraging voters in six swing states to sign a "petition in favor of free speech and the right to bear arms." Referring voters receives $47 each, while higher sums of $100 are offered in Pennsylvania, a potential battleground state for the Trump and Harris campaigns.
America PAC claims that signing a petition signifies support for the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution. A $1m prize will be awarded randomly to signatory in seven swing states until polling day on 5 November. The first lottery-style jumbo cheque was handed out in October.
Elon Musk's proposed payment for voting registration is likely illegal, according to Paul Schiff Berman, a professor of law at George Washington University. Berman cited the US Code of electoral law, which states that anyone who pays or offers to pay for voting registration or payment faces a potential $10,000 fine or five-year prison sentence.
The Department of Justice refrained from commenting. A request for comment has been made to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
According to a former FEC chairman, the technique might be covered by a loophole because no one is being paid directly to register or cast a ballot.
Brad Smith told the New York Times that the giveaway was "not that close to the line," but rather "something of a grey area."
The individual is not paying people to register to vote, but to sign a petition, with only registered voters being required to sign. However, an election law professor at Northwestern University emphasized the importance of context in this situation.
Adav Noti of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center criticized Elon Musk's scheme as violating federal law and subject to civil or criminal enforcement by the Department of Justice. She stated that it is illegal to distribute money on the condition that recipients register as voters.
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