Former GOP lawmakers, officials urge Garland to investigate Musk
Former Republican lawmakers, advisers and Justice Department officials have called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate tech billionaire Elon Musk for awarding cash prizes to voters in swing states if they sign his political organization’s petition, according to a letter obtained by The Washington Post and sent to Garland on Monday.
The letter argues that the large prizes set up by Musk, a vocal supporter of Republican nominee Donald Trump, violate federal voting laws that prohibit paying people to register to vote.
Musk announced Saturday that his political group, America PAC, would use a lottery to award $1 million each day until the election to a registered voter who signs a petition saying they support free speech and the right to bear arms. Only voters registered in seven swing states — including Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada — are eligible for the prizes.
The former officials who signed the letter to Garland and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry argue that Musk’s petition is a disguised voter drive in which he is essentially bribing people to register.
The Justice Department confirmed that Garland received the letter, but it declined to say whether it is investigating Musk or his PAC. [Continue reading…]