Investigation Initiated into Elon Musk-Backed PAC by Michigan Secretary of State
(Michigan) – A Political Action Committee (PAC), backed by billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, has come under investigation by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, renowned for different ventures including electric cars, reusable rockets, and renewable energy, is believed to have founded and funded the Committee known as the America PAC.
With a net worth exceeding $225 billion according to Forbes, Musk is a significant influencer in various domains. This recent probe into the PAC he’s backing has emerged amidst attempts by the Committee to obtain voter data.
Voter Data Collection: The Center of Controversy
The America PAC has been amassing voter data from residents in Michigan and other swing states, where electoral verdicts can vary widely between different elections. As part of these data collection efforts, users visiting the PAC’s website are prompted to register to vote in respective states. However, the registration process raises eyebrows due to its structure.
After users click on a “register to vote” tab, they are required to provide personal details such as their ZIP code, address, and phone number. Those with a Michigan address are then guided to a page that thanks them for their details but provides no further means of completing the so-called voter registration process.
Michigan Takes Action
In light of these issues, Michigan’s Secretary of State’s office has stepped in with an investigation. “Every citizen should know exactly how their personal information is being used by PACs, especially if an entity is claiming it will help people register to vote in Michigan or any other state,” a spokesperson from the office said in a statement.
“The Department is reviewing the PAC’s activities to determine if there have been any violations of state law. We will refer potential violations to the Michigan Attorney General’s office as appropriate,” the spokesperson added.
The situation becomes even more entangled when considering that the current site does not directly register people to vote in the swing states it targets.
Uncertainty About Legal Implications
While it remains uncertain whether any state laws have indeed been violated by the America PAC, it is clear that the situation has drawn the attention of several legal experts. Opinions vary among professionals, with some expressing concern over the PAC’s operations and others believing that, although unsettling, it might not involve any rule-breaking.
For instance, Barbara McQuade, a previous U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, expressed her doubts: “I am not aware of any laws being broken.” Meanwhile, Mary Massaron, a lawyer at Plunkett Cooney, acknowledged the PAC’s actions as problematic: “It is very troubling for any candidate or PAC funded project to deliberately fail to provide information or a link to register to vote.”
As the situation unfolds, residents and lawmakers alike will watch with keen interest how the investigation by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office progresses and what conclusions it draws about the controversial data collection practices of the America PAC backed by Elon Musk.
