Musk, the richest man in the world, announced that he would begin these draws on Saturday in Pennsylvania, one of the seven pivotal states that will likely define the next president of the United States between Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
The founder of Tesla and SpaceX, Trump supporter, He said he would distribute $1 million a day until the Nov. 5 election to registered voters in key states.
CNN and 24sight News said the Justice Department letter warns Musk’s organization (America PAC) that the lottery may violate federal law, which prohibits paying people to register to vote.
They affirm that the contest could be subject to civil or criminal prosecution
The winners of the contest promoted by Musk are chosen at random, but must be registered voters. They are also required to sign a petition supporting “freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.”
Danielle Lang, a Georgetown Law School professor specializing in electoral law, told AFP earlier this week that the contest could be “subject to civil or criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice.”
“It is illegal to give money on the condition that recipients register as voters,” Lang said.
“As the terms of this $1 million ‘contest’ require the recipient to be a registered voter in one of the seven key states (or to register if they have not already done so), the offer violates federal law.” , maintains the academic.
Musk has taken on an increasingly visible role in Trump’s campaign, attending rallies and donating nearly $75 million.
Source: Ambito
