A legal battle over Elon Musk’s $1 million daily voter sweepstakes has taken a new turn as a federal judge ruled that the case should return to state court in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is seeking to shut down the giveaways, arguing that they violate state lottery laws. Musk’s political organization, aimed at boosting Donald Trump’s campaign, organized the sweepstakes to encourage voter registration in key battleground states. The case is set to continue in state court, with a hearing scheduled for Monday morning.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert, appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama, determined that the references to the federal presidential election in the lawsuit do not automatically grant federal jurisdiction. Krasner’s lawyer, John Summers, plans to ask the state court judge to enter an injunction to stop the lottery and the alleged deceptive practices. Musk’s lawyer, Matthew Haverstick, has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ruling.
Elon Musk, a prominent tech entrepreneur known for his companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has heavily supported Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Through his super PAC, Musk has committed over $70 million to help Trump and other Republicans secure victory in November. Krasner’s lawsuit accuses Musk and his PAC of running a questionable lottery leading up to the election. The sweepstakes have seen multiple winners from battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and others, with checks of $1 million being given out.
Election law experts have raised concerns over the legality of the sweepstakes, questioning whether it violates federal laws prohibiting payments for votes. Musk has defended the giveaways as both prizes and earnings for work as a spokesperson for the organization. Krasner has not ruled out the possibility of pursuing criminal charges in response to the alleged violations. With both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris focusing on Pennsylvania’s crucial 19 electoral votes, the state remains a hotly contested battleground in the days leading up to the election.
The ongoing legal battle over Musk’s voter sweepstakes underscores the contentious nature of the 2020 presidential election. As the case returns to state court in Pennsylvania, the outcome could have implications for future political fundraising and voter engagement efforts. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the legality of the sweepstakes, Musk’s support for Trump and his aggressive push to boost voter turnout continue to draw attention and scrutiny in the final days before Election Day. The outcome of the case could shape the way political organizations conduct voter outreach initiatives in the future.
