Elon Musk’s initiative to provide cash incentives to swing-state voters who sign his petition has sparked legal questions as the U.S. election on November 5 approaches. The petition, created by Musk’s group America PAC, aims to support Donald Trump in the presidential race.
In Pennsylvania, voters are being offered cash sums simply for signing the petition, while one lucky signatory from a swing state will win a $1 million prize daily until Election Day. However, legal experts warn that this approach may violate American election laws, particularly concerning payments for voter registration.
The America PAC petition encourages voters in key states—Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—to sign in support of free speech and Second Amendment rights. Those who refer additional voters also receive a monetary reward, with figures reaching $100 in Pennsylvania.
Paul Schiff Berman, a law professor at George Washington University, stated, “I believe Musk’s offer is likely illegal,” citing U.S. Code which prohibits payments for voter registration or voting. He pointed out that since the offer targets registered voters, it might contravene this law.
While the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to comment, some experts suggest that Musk’s initiative could slip through a legal loophole, as participants are not being directly compensated for registering to vote. Brad Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, noted the ambiguity, claiming the giveaways could be considered “a grey area.”
However, election law expert Michael Kang expressed concerns about the intent behind the initiative, arguing that it is designed to encourage voter registration in a legally questionable manner. Adav Noti from the Campaign Legal Center stated that Musk’s scheme “violates federal law,” emphasizing that offering money contingent on voter registration is illegal.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called the initiative “deeply concerning” and urged law enforcement investigation, to which Musk responded by questioning the governor’s comments.
Critics also point out that Musk’s approach contradicts traditional campaign practices. Mark Cuban, a billionaire investor supporting Kamala Harris, described the strategy as both “innovative and desperate,” highlighting the uncertainty of its effectiveness.
In defense of his actions, Musk claimed that similar initiatives have been funded by Democrats in the past, referencing Mark Zuckerberg’s $400 million donation in 2020 to support logistical efforts around postal ballots—not direct payments to voters.
Past Democratic efforts to mobilize voters, such as a $25 million campaign for voter registration in the 2022 midterms, did not involve direct cash incentives to voters but rather fund broader outreach efforts.
Musk’s involvement in American politics has intensified recently, as he has shifted his support towards the Republican party, including significant donations to America PAC, which launched in July to back Trump’s 2024 campaign. With reports of making at least $75 million in contributions to the PAC, Musk’s actions continue to attract scrutiny as Election Day nears.
Credit: BBC News
