Tech billionaire Elon Musk has launched an unprecedented campaign initiative that involves giving away $1 million daily to a registered voter in pivotal swing states leading up to the US presidential election on November 5. The funds will be awarded randomly to participants who sign a petition promoting the US Constitution, facilitated through Musk's campaign organization, AmericaPAC, in support of Donald Trump’s candidacy. The first recipients of the lottery-style cheques were announced at a town hall event in Pennsylvania over the weekend.
However, the endeavor is already facing severe backlash. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, criticized Musk's strategy as "deeply concerning," claiming it could warrant law enforcement scrutiny. The initiative is open to registered voters in crucial battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina — all of which are expected to play decisive roles in the upcoming election.
Election law expert Rick Hasen raised alarms in a recent blog post, asserting that Musk’s offering is possibly illegal. Federal regulations stipulate that any form of payment related to voting or voter registration can lead to significant penalties, both in the form of fines or even imprisonment. Hasen expressed skepticism about the petition-signing strategy, pointing out that it effectively requires participation from voters in these strategically important states, rendering it questionable.
In Pennsylvania, voters are incentivized with a $100 payment for signing the petition, and an additional $100 for each referral who also completes the process. For constituents in other swing states, the referral payment drops to $47. Musk's model, while ostensibly legal in theory, walks a fine line; it remains unlawful to offer financial compensation to induce voting behavior. Such nuances have historical precedent, as demonstrated by Ben & Jerry's model of giving away free ice cream on election day in 2008 without limiting it to those who had voted.
Trump himself indicated unawareness of Musk's giveaway when questioned, acknowledging a friendly relationship with the billionaire who has now become a noteworthy supporter of his campaign. Since launching AmericaPAC in July, Musk has funneled $75 million into promoting Trump’s bid, with the organization positioning itself as a significant player in the campaign landscape.
Musk's overarching goal appears to be recruiting millions of voters from battleground states to endorse the petition. He argues that this would send a vital message to politicians regarding the importance of constitutional rights, particularly focusing on the First and Second Amendments. As the world's richest individual, with a staggering net worth exceeding $248 billion, Musk’s enormous financial influence could shape the 2024 elections, prompting both enthusiasm and apprehension among various stakeholders.
