Elon Musk is taking a novel approach by offering financial incentives to encourage people to sign a petition.
Musk, a supporter of Donald Trump, is offering $47 to registered American voters before the upcoming election if they refer someone to sign a petition from America PAC, a political action committee he established.
The initiative aims to rally one million individuals in support of the First and Second Amendments of the United States Constitution.
For those unfamiliar with these amendments, the First Amendment safeguards freedoms related to speech, religion, the press, assembly, and petition.
The Second Amendment, on the other hand, protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms.
To qualify for the money, individuals must first sign the petition themselves and then refer another person, earning $47 for each referral.
America PAC has targeted swing states in the US for this petition drive.
The petition states: “Our goal is to get 1 million registered voters in swing states to sign in support of the Constitution, especially freedom of speech and the right to bare arms.
“This program is exclusively open to registered voters in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.”
The offer is valid until October 21.
Musk has actively promoted the petition, describing the referral system as ‘easy money’.
“For every person you refer who is a swing state voter, you get $47! Easy money,” he stated while sharing a screenshot of the petition.
Some have expressed concerns about Musk’s offer, with accusations of ‘paying for votes’ and potential ‘election interference’ circulating on social media platform X.
However, in the US, the legality concerns only paying people to register to vote or vote in federal elections.
Offering financial incentives for signing petitions is permissible, according to Economic Times.
Donald Trump, if re-elected, has indicated that he would appoint Musk to lead a government efficiency commission, a role the tech mogul has been advocating for.
“I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government, and making recommendations for drastic reforms,” Trump announced at a campaign event at the Economic Club of New York last month, as reported by The Guardian.
In response to Trump’s comments, Musk tweeted: “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.”