### DOJ Warns Musk's $1 Million Sweepstakes Could Violate Election Laws

The Department of Justice has issued a stern warning to Elon Musk’s political action committee (PAC), which supports Donald Trump, regarding a potentially illegal $1 million sweepstakes scheme. A letter from the Justice Department's election crimes chief in its public integrity bureau reminded the PAC, America PAC, that offering anything of value to influence how someone casts their ballot would be a violation of federal law.

The letter, initially reported by 24sight and CNN, has sparked concern among election law experts and civil rights groups who argue that Musk's initiative could be an illegal vote-buying tactic. The proposal entails handing out $1 million checks daily to individuals who sign a petition on the PAC’s website, pledging their support for the First and Second Amendments, until Election Day.

The campaign targets 1 million voters in seven swing states and is only open to registered voters in those areas. Public records indicate that the first four winners, all of whom are registered Republican voters, had already cast their mail-in ballots in the November elections before receiving their $1 million checks from Musk.

Rich Hasen, a UCLA School of Law professor and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project, labeled the scheme as "clearly illegal" in a viral post on his website. During an interview with MSNBC, Hasen emphasized that the sweepstakes essentially sets up a lottery, restricted to registered voters, which could be construed as creating an incentive or reward for voting.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the plan "deeply concerning" and suggested that law enforcement might investigate. A coalition of former Republican officials and prosecutors has also urged the Justice Department to look into the matter this week.

Federal law prohibits paying, offering to pay, or accepting payment for registering to vote or for voting. Election law experts suggest that Musk's scheme potentially creates an illegal incentive by limiting eligibility for the sweepstakes to registered voters. However, the implications remain unclear, particularly since the winners reportedly registered and voted before the sweepstakes were announced.

Adav Noti, executive director of Campaign Legal Center, criticized Musk's sweepstakes, describing it as "just the latest and most egregious example of wealthy special interests distorting our political process at the expense of everyday voters."