Elon Musk’s promise to donate $1 million daily to voters who sign the campaign of a political action committee supporting former US President Donald Trump raises ambiguity in election law. Musk’s action has resulted in diverging opinions among legal experts.

By committing to donate $1 million daily to voters who sign the petition in support of freedom of speech and the right to bear arms, Elon Musk has entered a gray area of election law. Legal experts have differing views on whether Musk’s action violates the prohibition of paying voters to cast their ballots. Musk announced that he would donate $1 million daily to randomly selected individuals who support the petitions backing the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution, which protect freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. Daniel Weiner from the Brennan Center for Justice stated, “This situation creates a debate on whether it falls within the scope of the federal law prohibiting payments for voting or registering. It’s an example of Musk teetering on the edge of election laws.” Musk’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.

“INCENTIVE MAY BE ILLEGAL”

Four legal experts are divided on whether the donation violates federal laws. Brad Smith, a professor at Capital University Law School, argued that Musk would not violate the laws because signing the petition is sufficiently removed from registering to vote. However, Richard Hasen, a professor at UCLA Law, suggested that Musk’s timing and focus on swing states indicate that the petition may be a ruse, potentially rendering the reward illegal. Adav Noti from the Campaign Legal Center, which remains neutral, also asserted that paying for voter registration is illegal. Weiner emphasized that the situation is legally questionable but falls within a gray area. The debate centers on whether signing the petition is a legitimate means to encourage people to register to vote.

$1 MILLION DAILY

Addressing voters who cast their ballots in swing states that will determine the election’s outcome and sign the campaign, Musk announced that he would give $1 million daily to a selected individual until November 5. Presenting the prize check to the first person to win $1 million in Harrisburg, Musk expressed his hope that this method would bring attention to the campaign of the political action committee. The first amendment of the US Constitution covers “freedom of speech,” while the second amendment protects “the right of civilians to bear arms.”