In a significant legal move, Wisconsin's Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul petitioned a court to prevent billionaire Elon Musk from distributing $1 million checks to voters this weekend. This development occurs just days before the state's highly contested Supreme Court race, which is set to determine ideological control of the court. The lawsuit highlights concerns over potential violations of state laws prohibiting inducements for voting and reflects broader tensions in the election.
Attorney General Kaul filed the lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court, aiming to stop Musk from making payments he announced on his social media platform X. Initially, Musk declared plans to personally hand over $2 million to two voters who had already cast ballots in the Supreme Court race. However, Musk later clarified that these funds would go to individuals agreeing to act as spokespeople for an online petition opposing "activist" judges. The event’s eligibility shifted from voters in the race to those who signed the petition.
This clarification came after Musk deleted his original post about the giveaway roughly 12 hours after its publication late Thursday night. Despite this deletion, there has been no official statement confirming that the payments will not proceed. Kaul argues in the lawsuit that any payment to voters constitutes a violation of state law, regardless of changes made to the plan's structure.
The context surrounding this controversy deepens with additional revelations. On Friday, Musk's political action committee identified Scott Ainsworth, a Green Bay resident with ties to the Wisconsin GOP and conservative candidate Brad Schimel, as the recipient of its first $1 million donation. Ainsworth, known for supporting President Donald Trump and encouraging early voting for Schimel, received the award for signing the PAC's petition against "activist" judges.
Such actions raise questions regarding compliance with Wisconsin law, which classifies offering or giving anything of value to induce voting as a felony offense. Legal experts suggest that while adjustments to Musk's offer may alter circumstances, they do not entirely resolve underlying legal issues. Bryna Godar, a staff attorney at the University of Wisconsin Law School, noted the ambiguity in determining whether such offers aim to induce voting behavior.
The stakes are high as this case could eventually reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court itself. The election between Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel and Dane County Judge Susan Crawford carries implications far beyond local boundaries, impacting decisions on abortion rights, congressional redistricting, union power, and voting regulations affecting future elections.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the broader electoral landscape showcases contrasting financial influences. While Musk and associated groups have invested over $20 million to support Schimel, billionaire George Soros has contributed $2 million to bolster Crawford, alongside Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's $1.5 million donation. These figures underscore the national significance of this state-level judicial contest.
As Wisconsin prepares for its pivotal Supreme Court vote, the interplay between influential billionaires, legal challenges, and voter incentives adds layers of complexity to an already contentious race. The outcome promises not only to shape the immediate future of the state's judiciary but also to resonate through critical national debates ahead.