### Elon Musk's $1 Million Giveaway Sparks Controversy Over Potential Vote-Buying

Elon Musk's recent initiative to distribute $1 million checks to random petition signers has stirred debate and scrutiny. The checks, part of a voter-registration drive by his Donald Trump-supporting political action committee (PAC), will be handed out daily until Election Day. So far, three Republican voters in Pennsylvania have received these funds.

These winners, who had already cast their ballots for the November elections, were identified using public records from the Pennsylvania secretary of state's office, reviewed by The Independent. The recipients, confirmed as long-time registered Republicans, had submitted their mail-in ballots earlier in October.

The petition, facilitated by America PAC, solicits support for the First and Second Amendments. It aims to gather endorsements from 1 million voters across seven swing states, emphasizing freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. However, eligibility for the $1 million prize is confined to voters registered in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

Legal experts and former prosecutors have raised concerns about the legality of Musk's giveaway, suggesting it may constitute a form of vote-buying, albeit indirectly. The deadlines for voter registration have already passed in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, further compounding the controversy.

John Dreher, a 27-year-old from Cumberland County, was the first to receive his prize at a campaign event on Saturday, despite having cast his vote on October 4. Kristine Fishell, another winner from Allegheny County, received her check onstage in Pittsburgh on Sunday, although her mail-in ballot was received on October 16. Additionally, Fishell had donated over $500 to Republican campaigns in 2020. The third recipient, Shannon Tomei from Allegheny County, got her prize on Monday night, with her ballot recorded on October 7.

In light of Musk's actions, Adav Noti, executive director of Campaign Legal Center, criticized the billionaire for leveraging his wealth to potentially sway the election. Highlighting concerns about legality, Noti emphasized that federal laws prohibit paying for voter registration or voting and pointed to the Department of Justice's role in enforcing these regulations.

The Independent has reached out to the recipients for comments regarding their unexpected windfalls.