Elon Musk, the billionaire technology founder and supporter of former President Donald Trump, is conducting a sweepstakes in Pennsylvania where $1 million is awarded to a resident each day until November 5. This initiative is targeted at individuals who sign Musk’s America PAC petition in support of the Constitution, with two winners already announced.
This sweepstakes has raised concerns among election law experts and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, the former state attorney general and a surrogate for Vice President Harris’ campaign. During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Shapiro suggested that the matter should be investigated by law enforcement, noting the serious questions it raises.
The announcement of the $1 million daily giveaway was made by Musk during a Saturday event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as part of a tour supporting Trump. Musk stated, “I have a surprise for you,” before introducing a large check and announcing the daily award to those who signed the petition.
Given that Pennsylvania is a vital swing state, both Trump and Harris are intensively campaigning there. Richard Hasen, a professor of election law at UCLA, remarked that the conditions of the sweepstakes might violate federal laws. He noted that participants must be registered voters, which effectively makes it a lottery exclusive to voters, potentially serving as an incentive or reward for voting, thus violating federal law.
Hasen described Musk’s actions as “clearly illegal,” referencing statute 52 U.S.C. 10307(c) and the Department of Justice’s election manual. The professor emphasized that voting should be a matter of free choice, without financial incentives influencing the electorate’s decisions.
Musk has stated that the objective of the sweepstakes is to “maximize awareness of our petition to support the Constitution.” In continuation of this goal, on Sunday, a second $1 million check was awarded to another petition signer. Participants pledge support specifically for the First and Second Amendments, concerning freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
Pennsylvania’s deadline for voter registration is approaching on Monday. When questioned about the legality of the giveaway, Musk’s America PAC did not immediately respond to NPR. Hasen pointed out that deliberate violation of statute 52 U.S.C. 10307(c) could result in a $10,000 fine and up to five years imprisonment. Nonetheless, he suggested that Musk is unlikely to face such severe penalties unless he persists in the activity after being warned of its illegality.
