Is Elon Musk's 47 dollars offer to voters in swing states legal?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has launched an initiative through his Elon's America PAC , offering $47 to registered voters who refer others to sign a petition in support of the First and Second Amendments . The campaign aims to collect one million signatures from voters in key swing states , including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, with a deadline set for October 21.

The petition focuses on protecting free speech and the right to bear arms, and voters will receive $47 for each referral of a registered voter who signs the petition. The effort is specifically targeting these swing states in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential election.

During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Musk spoke about the critical nature of the election, describing Trump as the only candidate capable of defending democracy. He highlighted the urgency of Trump's victory, signalling the importance he places on the outcome.

Is Elon Musk's money offer to voters in swing states legal?

While federal law prohibits payments for voter registration or voting in federal elections, financial incentives for signing petitions are legal. Musk’s PAC offers compensation only for petition referrals, which does not violate federal election laws. Critics, however, suggest that the programme may indirectly affect voter turnout or serve as a data collection effort, though it remains within legal boundaries.

Trump has expressed his intent to appoint Musk to a government efficiency commission if re-elected, aligning the billionaire’s political initiatives with his own campaign. Musk’s PAC argues that Democrats pose a threat to constitutional rights, particularly free speech and the right to bear arms, pointing to recent debates over voter ID laws in states like California.

The legality of Musk’s initiative hinges on the distinction between petition signing and voter registration. Since the programme does not involve registering voters or incentivising them to vote, it is considered permissible under current US election laws.