Philadelphia DA Sues Elon Musk over Alleged Illegal Voter Lottery
Lawsuit Targets $1 Million Prize Effort in Swing States Amid Legal Concerns
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and his political organization, America PAC, to halt a $1 million giveaway to voters in key swing states.
Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner claims the initiative constitutes an illegal lottery intended to influence the outcome of the upcoming Presidential Election on November 5.
The move follows a warning from the U.S. Justice Department to America PAC that the cash incentives might breach federal election law.
Elon Musk, known for his vocal support of Donald Trump, has been offering $1 million prizes to registered voters in battleground states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina.
Entrants must submit personal information and pledge support for the U.S. Constitution.
To date, nine winners have been announced, with the most recent from Michigan.
Critics, including many Democrats, have accused Musk of attempting to buy votes while legal experts debate whether this lottery-style giveaway infringes on federal laws.
The district attorney's lawsuit aims to secure an injunction before Election Day, emphasizing that the program may mislead individuals into exchanging personal data for a chance to win.
A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Friday morning in Philadelphia, just ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, representatives from America PAC have suggested continuing with the giveaway plan despite the legal challenges.
Legal ambiguity persists as to whether the giveaways contravene federal laws, with the Justice Department's concerns yet to be fully addressed.