this post was submitted on 21 May 2025
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[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 29 points 1 day ago (6 children)

Isn't it illegal to pay for voting and to be paid? Or, is it just illegal to pay for votes?

[–] ExtantHuman@lemm.ee 4 points 7 hours ago

Not if you also pay all the people who would enforce that law

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 3 points 16 hours ago

My understanding is that it potentially isn't illegal, because you weren't being paid to vote explicitly, and weren't being paid to vote for a specific candidate for sure, but you were (supposed to be) paid to sign an agreement that you would vote, and I think it also said you support a certain candidate but I'm not totally sure on that.

Basically, he was paying for people to say they'd vote (maybe for a certain candidate) but legally that wasn't actually required, so possibly barely skirts the law if a judge is being very generous to him.

[–] mrbubblesort@lemmy.world 5 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Isn’t it illegal to ...

No one gives a shit anymore

[–] rayyy@lemmy.world 3 points 10 hours ago

Isn’t it illegal to …

The average American hasn't yet realized the benefits, or consequences, of our newly instituted unfettered lawlessness.

[–] BBQuicktime@thelemmy.club 17 points 1 day ago

Not if you're among the ultra-rich. Supreme Court has decided that rules are for the poors.

[–] admiralpatrick@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I know the former is, but not sure if the recipient is on the hook or not.

[–] Kirp123@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

That's because he didn't say he will pay them for voting. He said he would pay them to sign a petition that supported a certain candidate. I think that's technically not illegal?

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Wasn't there a lottery of a million dollars or something? Pretty sure that was for votes. What I'm hearing is, he won't be charged or prosecuted for anything, legal or not.

[–] Kirp123@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nah the lottery wasn't actually a lottery because it came out that the winners were already picked. Because apparently you're not allowed to run a lottery whenever you want without asking the government.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/elon-musk-says-1-million-election-giveaway-wasnt-an-illegal-lottery-2025-01-26/

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That seems like "a dog ate my homework" kind of answer to that. So a better headline would be:

Elon Musk committed fraud in rigged lottery at illegal vote persuasion event

[–] Kirp123@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My answer was facetious.

But if he did something illegal and hasn't been prosecuted for it that means it's not illegal?

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

But if he did something illegal and hasn’t been prosecuted for it that means it’s not illegal?

Okay, lmao. That's hilarious.

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

That's my understanding as well. "Sleezy but not technically illegal" is pretty on-brand for Musk.