Elon Musk's $1 Million Election Giveaway: Pushing Legal Boundaries

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has sparked controversy with his latest political maneuver: a $1 million daily giveaway to registered voters in battleground states who sign his America PAC petition. This unprecedented move has raised questions about the legality of his actions and the potential consequences for his political involvement.

Musk's giveaway, which began on October 21, offers a $1 million prize to a randomly selected registered voter in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina who signs his PAC's petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. Additionally, new Pennsylvania voters who sign the petition receive a $100 bonus, with an extra $100 for each referral.

The requirement for petition signers to be registered voters has led some election law experts to question the legality of Musk's giveaway. Federal law prohibits payments for voter registration or voting, with violations punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While Musk's sweepstakes is technically a prize for signing a petition, the prerequisite of being a registered voter could be interpreted as an inducement for new registrations.


Brendan Fischer, a campaign finance lawyer, stated that conditioning the payments on registration "arguably violates the law." Rick Hasen, an election law expert at UCLA, went further, calling the giveaway "clearly illegal" on his Election Law Blog. Other experts, such as Derek T. Muller of the University of Notre Dame, agreed that the giveaway could be seen as an inducement for voter registration.

If the giveaway is deemed illegal, Musk and his PAC could face potential consequences, including fines and criminal prosecution. However, legal experts agree that it is unlikely that Musk will face criminal charges, given the complexity of the law and the lack of precedent for such a case.


Musk's giveaway could also influence voter turnout and registration in the targeted battleground states. By offering a substantial prize and bonuses for signing the petition, Musk may encourage more people to register and participate in the election. However, the giveaway's legality and potential backlash could also deter some voters from participating.

The giveaway has also raised concerns about Musk's influence in the election and his relationship with Trump. As a prominent supporter of the former president, Musk's actions could be seen as an attempt to sway the election in Trump's favor. If the giveaway is deemed illegal, it could further strain Musk's relationship with the Republican Party and the broader political establishment.

In conclusion, Elon Musk's $1 million election giveaway has pushed the boundaries of election law and sparked debate among legal experts. While the giveaway's legality remains uncertain, the potential consequences for Musk and his political involvement could have far-reaching implications for the 2024 election and beyond. As the giveaway continues, voters and political observers alike will be watching to see how the situation unfolds and what impact it has on the election's outcome.