Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has expressed deep concern over Elon Musk’s plan to give money to registered voters in Pennsylvania. Musk announced that he would give $1 million to a random registered voter every day until Election Day, as long as they sign a petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms. This petition is a prerequisite for attending rallies headlined by Musk.
Shapiro emphasized that his skepticism of these cash prizes is not driven by political differences, as Musk has endorsed former President Donald Trump. Election law experts have raised questions about the legality of these payments, citing federal laws that prohibit making cash payments to voters. Rick Hasen, an election law analyst, called the payments “clearly illegal” under federal law.
Hasen pointed out that Musk’s PAC is only offering payments to registered voters, creating a lottery that violates election laws intended to prevent buying votes. Authorities have the option to prosecute Musk or issue a warning to stop these payments. It remains unclear whether federal authorities are investigating the matter.
Musk and his PAC have not commented on the situation. The legality of these cash payments raises serious questions about ethics and potential legal implications. Shapiro’s concerns only add to the growing scrutiny surrounding Musk’s actions in Pennsylvania.
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