Here is what Elon Musk tweeted last night:

This is likely illegal, because in a federal election one cannot give anything of value in exchange for someone agreeing to turn out to vote. It is not necessary to offer that a person vote for or against a particular candidate. Here is the relevant statute, 18 U.S.C. section 597. Just like one cannot give out free ice cream or car washes or concert tickets, one cannot give out free admission to hear a speech by a tech entreprenuer.

I explore the details of all of this in my California Law Review article, Vote Buying. See also this recent Q and A with me about this subject in The Guardian (before the latest controversy broke, and where I explained that Musk’s earlier $47 payment offer to sign a petition did not appear to violate federal law).

Earlier: Election Law Blogger Responsible for Free Ben & Jerry’s.