Source: Garrison Center
by Thomas L Knapp
“A lottery or raffle generally involves a material consideration: The participant must purchase something to have a chance of winning. A sweepstakes only requires the participant to provide some information (mostly for determining eligibility, delivering prizes to the correct addresses, and facilitating future contact). Yes, in THIS case, that information includes a pledge that participants support the First and Second Amendments. But there’s no deliverable consideration. No vote. No donation. No shift as a campaign door-knocker. If I give lifetime supplies of ice cream to random members of a group who sign statements saying they like ice cream, am I running a lottery? They’re free to lie. I’m not making them buy, or eat, ice cream. I’m just giving away money to people who say they like ice cream.” (10/31/24)