Questions have been raised about the legality of cash incentives offered by tech billionaire Elon Musk to swing-state voters who sign his petition before the US election on 5 November.
The petition was created by Mr Musk’s campaign group America PAC, which was set up to support Donald Trump in the presidential contest.
Voters in Pennsylvania are being offered cash sums for simply signing the petition. And one random swing-state signatory a day is being given a million-dollar prize.
But legal experts have suggested that it may break American law to offer money for an act requiring someone to be signed up as a voter. BBC News has contacted Mr Musk’s team and America PAC for comment.
The petition created by America PAC encourages voters in six swing states – Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina – to sign a “petition in favour of free speech and the right to bear arms”.
Those who refer another voter who signs up are promised a sum of $47 (£36) each.
Higher sums of $100 for signing or referring are offered in Pennsylvania, the battleground state that both the Trump and Harris campaigns believe could potentially decide the race’s eventual victor.
America PAC says those who sign the petition are signalling their support for the First and Second amendments of the US Constitution.
Each day until polling day on 5 November, a $1m prize will be randomly awarded to any signatory in one of the seven swing states.
The first lottery-style jumbo cheque was handed out to a surprised attendee at a town hall event in Pennsylvania on 19 October.
(BBC News)