Maye Musk, mother of billionaire Elon Musk, has sparked controversy after encouraging voter fraud a month before the US elections. “The Democrats have given us another option,” he wrote on Twitter on October 5. You do not need to register to vote. On election day, take 10 fake names, go to 10 polling stations and vote 10 times. It’s 100 votes, and it’s not illegal. “Maybe we should also work on the system.”
However, Investigations into voter fraud have also consistently found that while it is extremely rare, there is no evidence to support organized fraud by Democrats, as May Musk had suggested.
The Democrats have given us another option. You do not need to register to vote. On election day, take 10 fake names, go to 10 polling stations and vote 10 times. It’s 100 votes, and it’s not illegal. Maybe we should also work on the system.
– Maye Musk (@mayemusk) 5 October 2024
Disbelief erupted on the internet too.
“Should this be considered a joke?” A user commented below May Musk’s post.
Should this be considered a joke?
-TheRealThelmaJohnson (@TheRealThelmaJ1) 6 October 2024
A lawyer wrote, “This tweet constitutes solicitation of a crime and is a full-blown criminal act in itself. If at least one person acts on your request, you may also be charged with conspiracy. You should immediately withdraw this tweet.”
This tweet constitutes solicitation of a crime and is a full-blown criminal act in itself. If at least one person acts on your request, you may also be charged with conspiracy. You should withdraw this tweet immediately.
– Olav Michel Underdal (@omunderdal) 6 October 2024
“FBI and DOJ, if you’re listening,” one comment said.
The FBI and the DOJ, if you’re listening.
– Janice Huff (@leftcoastbabe) 6 October 2024
Someone said it was “voter fraud, and he deserves to be prosecuted.”
This is voter fraud and he should be prosecuted
– Robin ¯\(ツ) ¯ (@RaeMargaret61) 6 October 2024
Experts have considered the validity of his statements. Nate Persilli, an election expert at Stanford Law School and NBC News contributor, said that if individuals acted on his advice, they would likely violate election laws. He pointed out that Title 52 of the U.S. Code prohibits using false information to register to vote, with potential penalties including a fine of up to $10,000 or up to five years in prison.
Simply using a fake name for voter registration is also not enough. Individuals must provide proof of identity, which typically includes a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Election officials verify this information, and voters without proper documentation may be required to present a utility bill or other proof of residence, depending on state rules.
A few hours after his initial post, May Musk posted again, advising users to “disregard his previous post”. “In Butler, Pennsylvania, we just heard that Republicans are going to make sure no one votes illegally,” he explained.
In Butler, Pennsylvania, we just heard that Republicans will make sure no one votes illegally. Ignore my previous post.
– Maye Musk (@mayemusk) 5 October 2024
In another tweet, the 76-year-old said critics “don’t understand sarcasm” and claimed his comments were a response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Senate Bill 1174, which would have prevented local governments from imposing voter ID requirements at the polls. Is.
Actually, it comes from Gavin Newsom. What you are saying is that he should go to jail for his new law that prevents ID when voting, so that illegal immigrants can vote multiple times. I guess you don’t understand sarcasm.
– Maye Musk (@mayemusk) 6 October 2024
As the crucial election on November 5 approaches, Elon Musk has publicly endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance against Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.