Elon Musk’s USD 1 Million Giveaway Sparks Election Law Concerns – Is It Legal? 

Elon Musk. Credit | Reuters
Elon Musk. Credit | Reuters

United States: Every day until November 5, the billionaire tech founder and supporter of ex-president Donald Trump, Elon Musk, is offering to give away USD 1 million to one person from Pennsylvania. 

There are already two winners of the prize money received by Musk’s America PAC petition endorsing the Constitution. 

More about the news 

However, the sweepstakes is raising concerns among election law majors and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is a former attorney general. Shapiro also serves as a spokesperson for Vice President Harris’ campaign. 

According to Shapiro, “I think it’s something that law enforcement could take a look at,” and, I’m not the attorney general anymore of Pennsylvania, I’m the governor, but it does raise serious questions,” NBC reported. 

More about Musk’s announcement 

Musk declared the USD 1 million giveaway at an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The event formed part of a tour that included supporting Trump

Musk mentioned shortly before taking out a check, “I have a surprise for you,” “We are going to be awarding $1 million to people who have signed the petition — every day, from now until the election.” 

In this election, Pennsylvania is a swing state that both Trump and Harris have been keen on campaigning for. 

UCLA election law professor Richard Hasen said that, on its face, there is nothing wrong with a petition sweepstakes. However, with basic scrutiny, he finds some concerns that create alarm bells ringing in him. 

Hasen said, “If you look at the conditions, you must be a registered voter,” and, “And so this is essentially a lottery that’s open only to people who register to vote. So it’s either an incentive for someone to vote or it’s a reward. And either way, it violates federal law.” 

Elon Musk. Credit | AP
Elon Musk. Credit | AP

Moreover, “When people vote, it should be of their free choice, and they should not be voting for financial incentives that would work the electorate,” Hasan added of federal election law. 

“It would change the nature of voting if people were voting purely for a personal financial incentive, rather than making the choice whether or not to register to vote, whether or not to vote, and for whom,” he continued. 

As Musk further mentioned, the goal of the sweepstakes is to “maximize awareness of our petition to support the Constitution,” NPR News reported. 

On Sunday, the billionaire presented the second check worth USD 1 million to another signer of the petition. 

The signers promise they will protect the First and Second Amendments, particularly freedom of speech and bear arms. The registration to vote in Pennsylvania ends this Monday.