Ordinarily, I count on @rickhasen.bsky.social to calm me down when I read excited online people about how a candidate/party/outside funder has violated election laws. I trust Prof. Hasen to know election law and present it without spin. He says that Elon Musk is "clearly violating election laws".
Hugo Lowell: “Elon Musk says on stage at a town hall that America PAC will be awarding $1 million every day until the election to a registered Pennsylvania voter who has signed his petition. Musk awar...
Also, a separate question: doesn’t Musk have a PAC? If so, can his appearance on the same stage as Trump be construed as violating the rule against PACs coordinating with the official campaign?
I also wrote an analysis of Elon Musk's illegal scheme to pay swing state voters to register to vote. "Elon Musk’s ‘Petition’ Scheme to Buy Voter Registrations in Pennsylvania and Federal Criminal Law" link.medium.com/S3QEBkCDSNb
“Section 1839. Bribery at Elections.--Any person who shall, directly or indirectly, give or promise or offer to give any gift or reward in money, goods or other valuable thing to any person, with intent to induce him to vote or refrain from voting.” www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis...
The intent and context seems like it matters a lot here. The fact that it’s nearing an election, and Musk has publicly endorsed a candidate, and the offer is in “swing states” all push it over the line imo. But if I was in PA I’d immediately sign his whatever, get paid, and then vote for Harris.
Consqnces pls thx.
Election laws don't mean anything if they aren't enforced in real time.
When I saw story, I thought ‘surely that breaks electoral law’ - but I’m a Brit so I didn’t actually know. I hope something is done about it.
There's not much doubt that he is breaking the law - the question is - will he face consequences?