It is 'very disturbing' that Musk is spending $1 million a day to influence Americans.
Until the US presidential election on November 5, tech billionaire Elon Musk has promised to donate $1 million (£766,000) per day to a registered voter in crucial swing states.
At a town hall session in Pennsylvania on Saturday night, a surprise guest received the first lottery-style check. On Sunday, another check was distributed.
Democratic governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, who backs Kamala Harris, described Mr. Musk's approach as "deeply concerning."
AmericaPAC, a political organization that Mr. Musk founded to back Republican nominee Donald Trump's run for reelection, would select the winner at random from among individuals who sign a pro-US Constitution petition.
Shapiro said that law authorities might investigate the payments on NBC News' Meet the Press.
Voters from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—all crucial battleground states that will eventually determine the outcome of the White House election—can enter the game.
Rick Hasen, an election law expert, stated that he thought Mr. Musk's offer was "clearly illegal" in his personal Election Law Blog.
Anyone who "pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting" might be fined $10,000 or imprisoned for up to five years, according to federal law.
Voters from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—all crucial battleground states that will eventually determine the outcome of the White House election—can enter the game.
Rick Hasen, an election law expert, stated that he thought Mr. Musk's offer was "clearly illegal" in his personal Election Law Blog.
Anyone who "pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting" might be fined $10,000 or imprisoned for up to five years, according to federal law.
Mr. Hasen questioned the purpose of the strategy, even though Mr. Musk is legally asking voters to sign a form.
"Who is eligible to sign the petitions? It is unlawful since it only applies to registered voters in swing states, according to Mr. Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) law school.
Signatories to the petition, which promises to defend free speech and gun rights, are required to provide their contact information, which may enable AmericaPAC to get in touch with them over their vote.
AmericaPAC and Mr. Musk have both been contacted for comment.
"Who is eligible to sign the petitions? It is unlawful since it only applies to registered voters in swing states, according to Mr. Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) law school.
Signatories to the petition, which promises to defend free speech and gun rights, are required to provide their contact information, which may enable AmericaPAC to get in touch with them over their vote.
AmericaPAC and Mr. Musk have both been contacted for comment.
In order to compile enormous databases of voter data, campaigns and political action groups use strategies like petition signing, survey inquiries, and goods purchases. The information can then be utilized more precisely to target voters or solicit donations from current supporters.
Mr. Musk is offering Pennsylvania voters $100 for signing the petition and an additional $100 for each signer they recommend. Referrals from voters in other battleground states earn $47 each.
Despite adding money into a process that could identify prospective Trump voters, the method might be exempt from US election law because no one is being paid directly to cast a ballot.
Mr. Musk is offering Pennsylvania voters $100 for signing the petition and an additional $100 for each signer they recommend. Referrals from voters in other battleground states earn $47 each.
Despite adding money into a process that could identify prospective Trump voters, the method might be exempt from US election law because no one is being paid directly to cast a ballot.
Offering money to encourage someone to vote—not just for a particular candidate, but to simply cast a ballot—is prohibited in the United States.
On election day in 2008, the rule led ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's to give away their product for free to everyone, instead of just those who had a "I voted" sticker.
Trump was questioned about Mr. Musk's giveaway during his Sunday campaign.
He stated, "I haven't followed that," and added that he is "friend" with Mr. Musk and interacts with him frequently.
The owner of X, formerly Twitter, and the founder of SpaceX and Tesla has become a prominent Trump backer.
On election day in 2008, the rule led ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's to give away their product for free to everyone, instead of just those who had a "I voted" sticker.
Trump was questioned about Mr. Musk's giveaway during his Sunday campaign.
He stated, "I haven't followed that," and added that he is "friend" with Mr. Musk and interacts with him frequently.
The owner of X, formerly Twitter, and the founder of SpaceX and Tesla has become a prominent Trump backer.
In July, Mr. Musk established AmericaPAC to aid the former president's campaign.
The organization, which has swiftly emerged as a key figure in Trump's election campaign, has received $75 million (£57.5 million) from him thus far.
For voter outreach, the Trump campaign heavily depends on outside organizations like AmericaPAC.
"AmericaPAC was founded to support these core values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible Spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, and Right to Self-Protection," according to a statement on the organization's website.
"Over a million, maybe two million, voters in the battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment," according to Mr. Musk, is his goal.
The organization, which has swiftly emerged as a key figure in Trump's election campaign, has received $75 million (£57.5 million) from him thus far.
For voter outreach, the Trump campaign heavily depends on outside organizations like AmericaPAC.
"AmericaPAC was founded to support these core values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible Spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, and Right to Self-Protection," according to a statement on the organization's website.
"Over a million, maybe two million, voters in the battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment," according to Mr. Musk, is his goal.
He continued, "I believe [it] sends a crucial message to our elected politicians."
According to US business magazine Forbes, Mr. Musk is currently the richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $248 billion (£191 billion)....see more
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