Elon Musk‘s super PAC, America PAC, has received a warning from the Department of Justice regarding its controversial $1 million daily giveaway in battleground states. The DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, which handles election-related cases, sent a letter to Musk’s super PAC concerning the legality of the contest.
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The letter states that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has increased pressure on state and federal authorities to investigate Musk’s lottery for possible violations of federal election laws. According to NBC News, its primary concern is whether the super PAC’s daily drawing could violate the law that prohibits paying individuals to register to vote. Additionally, the giveaway requires participants to meet two criteria: being a registered voter in one of seven key swing states and signing a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments.
The contest is reportedly open to Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nevada residents. A group of former prosecutors and government officials sent a letter to the Justice Department requesting a formal investigation into Musk’s giveaway. Critics argued that it could unfairly influence voter registration in battleground states.
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Legal experts who spoke to the outlet claim the contest might fall into a “grey area“: I can see what people are saying when they argue this violates the law, but I don’t think it does,” said consultant Matthew Sanderson.
Currently, it is unclear what steps the DOJ is taking following its letter. However, the Tesla CEO’s super PAC is standing by the legitimacy of its initiative.