The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 10, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
An Elon Musk super PAC is offering a $47 recruiting bounty for referring registered voters who then sign a petition pledging support for the First and Second Amendments. So, what’s behind it and is it illegal?
The America PAC’s petition is merely a statement of support, not a qualifying ballot initiative signature requiring the signer to be a registered voter. So why spend such ridiculous amounts of money? Such petitions are often used by political organizers to build mailing lists. With its signing deadline of Oct. 21, it will likely be used to drive turnout to the polls Nov. 5th – thus the need for registered voters. And surprise, surprise, it’s only available to voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
In early August CNBC reported that the Michigan Secretary of State investigated America PAC for apparently misleading unregistered voters who clicked on its website’s Register to Vote button. If the voter had a swing state zip code, they were directed to a longer form which collected mailing list information. Non swing state voters were sent directly to an outside voter registration site. It was later taken down.
But is it illegal to pay someone for a referral? While it IS illegal under federal and state law to pay someone to register, vote, or not to vote, sadly, it’s not illegal to convince someone to willingly give away their personal information.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Elon Musk on X – “For every person you refer who is a swing state voter, you get $47! Easy money.”
America PAC – Petition in Favor of Free Speech and the Right to Bear Arms
Influence Watch – America PAC
NBC News – Elon Musk’s PAC offers $47 payouts to refer swing state voters to sign petition
CNBC – Elon Musk PAC being investigated by Michigan secretary of state for potential violations
Popular Science – Don’t register to vote on Elon Musk’s AmericaPAC website. Do this instead.
Groups Taking Action:
Defend the Vote, End Citizens United
Check Your Voter Registration:
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #ElonMusk #EndCitizensUnited #FEC