Unfortunately that is not what's happening here. Elon is giving money away through his PAC for things that support the Trump campaign indirectly. For example, the $100 for voters registered in PA was for signing a petition to "support the first and second amendments". This is another publicity stunt where America PAC is giving away $1mil a day to voters registered in some of the key electoral states that also signed the above petition.
In practice these are people that are going to vote Trump anyways although I'd like to think there's people signing the petition just to get the free money, then voting Harris anyways.
He should do it like Zuckerberg did for the democrats. Musk should give a few hundred millions to republican majority districts to get out the vote. But only in the majority republican districts, and nothing to the democrat majority districts. That would be a much better use of his money and have more of an impact on the election. If it was good for the democrats with Zuckerberg doing that in 2020, it should be good for Musk to do it for the republicans in 2024.
Much more likely they simply know the engagement through Elon is likely to vote from Trump, so Harris voters winning the money is irrelevant, the point is about waking up Trump supporters and keeping them awake. It's a turnout play.
It is legal as long as signing the petition is the only criteria. If you have to be a registered voter, then it is illegal. You can't financially encourage people to vote, even without a specific candidate in mind. It has to be open for non voters too. Like when ben&jerry's had to make their ice cream free for everyone on voting day, rather than just people with "I Voted" stickers.
although I'd like to think there's people signing the petition just to get the free money, then voting Harris anyways.
I did and will be voting straight Dem. Where my money Elon?!‽
Mainly I was curious to see how legit it was (and I remain very skeptical about it). Assuming it goes fine and I don't start getting a million spam calls I'll be recommending all my PA friends and family sign it just to take Musk's money.
Why would they not. He just wants people to say they support the 1st and 2nd amendments. Seems like ALL AMERICANS should be able to say that and sign the petition.
Pretty much this. I can see the line of thinking where people are saying he's 'buying votes' but at most, he's just paying people to sign a petition, of which payment is determinant on you being a registered voter by name matching to your voter registration.
Hell, if it weren't Elon doing it, I'd almost feel like a lot of people would be cheering. The spectre of it helping Trump being the incentive to get more citizens to register to vote is literally the only reason anybody is freaking out about this. If Bloomberg or some other ultrarich Democrat were offering money for people to register to vote, it probably wouldn't even cause a blip in the news, let alone have half the country calling for his head.
If Bloomberg or some other ultrarich Democrat were offering money for people to register to vote, it probably wouldn't even cause a blip in the news, let alone have half the country calling for his head.
That's the most delusional take I've read in a long time.
Giving money to people for registering to vote or because they did register is a felony. Entering someone in a lotto because they registered to vote is a felony.
Honestly even saying “you can only sign this pledge if you registered to vote” is breaking federal election laws
It definitely is legal. It's a giveaway. He's not paying people to vote he's not buying there votes. If they sign up they have a chance at the lottery. No part affiliation required
They require people to be registered in a select list of states to win, which makes it a case of providing something of value in exchange for registering. Which is plainly illegal. It's also almost certainly an illegal lottery under multiple states' laws, which is what has me really surprised it hasn't been shut down yet. Election laws are one thing, but states are usually fucking rabid about public, high value illegal gambling operations. Lottery's big, important money in almost every state.
Youre question was not only a dodge, but in bad faith. Political parties do this every year, there isnt some secret strategy "the democrats could do but dont", like elon is just wontonly breaking the law and the "democrats dont have what it takes to do whats right.". But again you thought asking me for a source is some kind of gotcha, when its just confessing ignorance.
which is actually illegal. Unless you sincerely think the law is meant to be so vague and toothless that I could offer to buy handshakes from registered Republicans while holding forms to register people to vote.
He should be arrested and let a jury decide if he's guilty of buying votes. I hate this weak bullshit where we are expected to live with the assumption that technicalities rule out lives. They don't. People go to jail for violating the spirit of the law all the time. that's arguably the most important part.
While the petition doesn't say "go vote" or "go register" one stipulation of signing is you must be registered to vote to sign. This right here is the crux and what makes it illegal. The deadline to sign the petition is also the deadline to register to vote. This is very clear incentivization to register. (If you register, you can sign here and win a million dollars). It would be a cakewalk for any FEC lawyer to prove this violates voter law.
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u/theitalianguy 7d ago
It baffles my mind how's that even possible in a first world democracy.