Published on: October 28, 2024, 11:56h.
Last updated on: October 28, 2024, 11:56h.
The Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office is taking legal action against Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual in the world, regarding his controversial plan to distribute $1 million daily to a registered voter in crucial swing states until November 5.
The founder of Space X and Tesla, along with his pro-Trump super PAC, America PAC, are urging registered voters in several states to endorse free speech and gun rights by signing a petition.
Signatories in Pennsylvania also receive an added bonus of $100 and an extra $100 for each referral who signs up. Moreover, one random winner from the battleground states is awarded the million-dollar prize daily.
Advocates of the plan argue that Musk is simply requesting individuals to fill out a form. However, after a warning letter from the Justice Department, Musk seemed to have discontinued the controversial scheme last Wednesday.
According to federal law, it is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to offer payment for voter registration or votes.
Revival of the Scheme
Following a pause in the announcement of winners, media outlets speculated that the lottery had been terminated. However, it resumed on Thursday night when America PAC revealed the initial winners from Michigan and Wisconsin on its website.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania District Attorney, Larry Krasner, filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas to stop the sweepstakes in the state.
America PAC and Elon Musk are running an illegal lottery in Philadelphia (as well as throughout Pennsylvania),” the lawsuit states.
“In essence, America PAC and Musk are enticing Philadelphia residents – and others in the Commonwealth (and other swing states in the upcoming election) – to provide their personal information and pledge politically in exchange for a chance to win $1 million,” the lawsuit alleges.
“This constitutes a lottery,” it continues. “And it is unequivocally an unlawful lottery.”
Allegations of ‘Vote Buying’
Rick Hansen, a Political Science Professor at UCLA School of Law, has labeled the scheme as “clearly illegal.”
He references the DOJ Election Crimes Manual, which classifies “vote-buying” as a form of bribery under the US Constitution. Such bribery must have been intended to influence or reward voters for participating in the election process. The manual identifies offering “lottery chances” as an illegal inducement.
Ironically, this would make Musk’s petition supporting the US Constitution unconstitutional.