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Highlights
- DOJ warns Elon Musk's PAC over $1M voter lottery, citing potential election law violations.
- Elon Musk is offering $1 million a day to sign his PAC petition.
- Legal experts debate whether lottery violates federal voting laws.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly sent a warning to Elon Musk’s America PAC concerning its ongoing $1 million voter lottery, suggesting potential violations of U.S. election law. This intervention targets the Tesla CEO, a Donald Trump supporter, who is intensifying efforts to engage voters in key battleground states. The financial incentives have sparked both legal and ethical concerns.
Election Law Breach? DOJ Eyes Elon Musk’s $1 Million Voter Lottery
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Justice has sent a cautionary letter to Elon Musk’s America PAC, highlighting potential legal infractions linked to its $1 million US election giveaway . This warning comes amidst the heated run-up to the U.S. elections, with Elon Musk actively promoting Donald Trump’s campaign. The DOJ’s election crimes head, Robert Heberle stressed that offering monetary incentives to influence voting behaviors violates federal law.
However, the document did not announce immediate legal repercussions but clearly outlined potential penalties for violations, including imprisonment. Legal specialists have been quick to react to these updates, offering contrary opinions.
Experts Question the Legal Standing of PAC’s Actions
Michael Morse, an assistant law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, speculated on the legality of Elon Musk’s actions, stating,
“This is at best very questionable legally. Federal law says that you cannot pay someone to register to vote. I think you can read this petition as an inducement to register to vote.”
His comments highlight the blurred lines between legal incentivization and unlawful voter manipulation. Michael went on to note,
“The relevant legal question is whether this is payment to induce people to register. If it is, then it violates the law. If it’s payment to induce people to sign a petition, then it’s not a problem.”
However, other experts like Rick Hasen, director of the UCLA School of Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project, expressed a more definitive stance. He noted,
“The Justice Department’s Election Crimes Manual explicitly cites ‘lottery chances’ as a type of illegal bribe if it’s intended to induce or reward the voter for engaging in one or more acts necessary to cast a ballot.”
Hasen’s assertion underscores the potential legal violations implicit in Musk’s petition giveaways, suggesting a clear breach of election laws.
John Fortier, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute specializing in election administration, offered a slightly different perspective. “I think it straddles the line, and it’s a little unclear whether it goes over the line or not,” he said.
While the DOJ has not yet moved to halt the initiative, the implications of such a case could be far-reaching. This could involve political repercussions for Elon Musk and the endorsed candidate, Donald Trump. Nonetheless, America PAC’s officials have maintained that their actions are within legal bounds. However, the officials are yet to comment directly on the ongoing controversy.
With just days to the US election, Ripple CTO David Schwartz has cautioned on the risks of misinformation in the heated political climate. Schwartz’s call for rigorous fact-checking underlines the importance of discerning between verified news and unverified rumors.
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