Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed concern about Elon Musk’s plan to give $1 million per day to random registered voters in Pennsylvania who sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. Shapiro stated that law enforcement may investigate the matter, emphasizing that his political differences with Musk are not the reason for his skepticism of the cash prizes. Legal experts have raised questions about the legality of these payments, citing federal laws that prohibit paying voters for registration or voting. Rick Hasen, an election law expert, called the payments “clearly illegal” and pointed out that creating a lottery for registered voters is against the law. While Musk and his PAC have not responded to requests for comment, it remains unclear if federal authorities are investigating the situation. Hasen suggested that authorities could either prosecute Musk or issue a warning to stop the payments. Overall, the concern is centered around potential voter bribery and the need to uphold election laws that prevent the buying of votes, regardless of whether the payments are explicitly tied to voting for a particular candidate.
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