DOJ Issues Warning Over Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Initiative

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly issued a warning to Elon Musk’s America PAC regarding its $1 million voter lottery, citing potential violations of U.S. election laws. The warning comes as the Tesla CEO, a known Donald Trump supporter, ramps up voter engagement efforts in key battleground states, raising both legal and ethical concerns.

DOJ Scrutinizes Musk’s Million-Dollar Election Campaign

According to recent reports, the Department of Justice has sent a cautionary letter to Elon Musk’s America PAC regarding potential legal violations connected to its $1 million US election giveaway. The warning emerges during the intense pre-election period, with Musk actively supporting Donald Trump’s campaign. Robert Heberle, the DOJ’s election crimes chief, emphasized that providing monetary incentives to influence voting behavior violates federal law.

While no immediate legal action was announced, the document outlined potential penalties, including imprisonment. Legal experts have offered varying perspectives on the matter.

Legal Experts Weigh In

Michael Morse, assistant law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, commented on the questionable legality of Musk’s actions: “This is at best very questionable legally. Federal law says that you cannot pay someone to register to vote. I think you can read this petition as an inducement to register to vote.”

Morse further explained: “The relevant legal question is whether this is payment to induce people to register. If it is, then it violates the law. If it’s payment to induce people to sign a petition, then it’s not a problem.”

Rick Hasen, director of UCLA School of Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project, took a firmer stance: “The Justice Department’s Election Crimes Manual explicitly cites ‘lottery chances’ as a type of illegal bribe if it’s intended to induce or reward the voter for engaging in one or more acts necessary to cast a ballot.”

John Fortier, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute specializing in election administration, offered a more nuanced view: “I think it straddles the line, and it’s a little unclear whether it goes over the line or not.”

While the DOJ hasn’t moved to stop the initiative, the case could have significant implications for both Musk and Donald Trump. America PAC officials maintain their actions are legal but haven’t directly addressed the controversy.

As the election approaches, Ripple CTO David Schwartz has warned about misinformation risks in the current political climate, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between verified news and unconfirmed rumors.

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