Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, has sparked controversy with his announcement of a contest offering $1 million daily to a registered voter in a swing state until Election Day on November 5. This move has raised legal concerns, particularly regarding the requirement for participants to be registered voters in swing states, which some legal experts believe violates federal law prohibiting financial incentives for voter registration. 

Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, suggested that law enforcement should investigate the contest. Legal experts, including Georgetown Law School professor Danielle Lang, emphasize that the contest could face civil or criminal penalties, citing laws against paying for voter registration. In contrast, former Federal Election Commission Chairman Brad Smith views the contest as a gray area, arguing that since Musk is not directly paying for voter registrations but for petition signatures, it may not violate the law.

Musk defends the initiative as a means to encourage voter turnout in critical swing states, emphasizing its intent to raise awareness about voting. However, experts like Lang note that such schemes often appear during election cycles, though Musk's contest stands out due to its significant financial stakes. As the election approaches, the legality and ethics of Musk's offer remain hotly debated.