Elon Musk Gives $2 Million To Voters Ahead Of Wisconsin State Supreme Court Election

Key Concepts:

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
• Brad Schimmel (Republican Candidate)
• America Pack (Led by Elon Musk)
• Voter Giveaways ($1 Million Each)
• Wisconsin Election Laws (Prohibition of "Anything of Value" for Votes)
• Josh Kaul (Wisconsin Attorney General)
• First Amendment Rights (Political Speech)
• Tesla Lawsuit (Dealerships in Wisconsin)

Rally and Giveaways:

Elon Musk, leading the America Pack, held a rally in Wisconsin on Sunday to support Brad Schimmel, a Republican candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. During the rally, Musk gave away $1 million each to two Wisconsin voters who had signed an America Pack petition against allegedly partisan judges.

Legal Scrutiny:

The giveaways have faced legal scrutiny due to potential violations of Wisconsin election laws. These laws prohibit offering voters "anything of value" to influence their vote. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul attempted to block the giveaways through legal action.

Court Battles:

Two lower state courts declined to side with Kaul and block the giveaways before Sunday's rally. Kaul then appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to stop Musk from awarding the money, but the state supreme court refused to hear the case.

Musk's Tweets and Justifications:

Musk initially tweeted that the money would be given to voters who had already cast their ballots as "appreciation for taking the time to vote." He later deleted this tweet, as legal experts suggested it would violate state law. He then posted a new tweet stating that the money would be given to people who signed the America Pack's petition as payment "to be spokesman for the petition."

Legal Defense:

Musk's lawyers argued in a filing on Sunday that Kaul's lawsuit is "aimed at restraining Mr. Musk's political speech and curtailing his First Amendment rights," as quoted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Significance of the Election:

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is the first major election since Donald Trump's inauguration and is taking place in a key battleground state that Trump won. The election will take place on Tuesday, though early voting has already begun.

Tesla's Lawsuit:

The New York Times notes that the Wisconsin Supreme Court race could personally benefit Elon Musk, as Tesla is suing the state to allow it to open dealerships there. This case may eventually be decided by the high court.

Conclusion:

Elon Musk's involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, through rallies and voter giveaways, has sparked legal controversy and raised questions about the intersection of political speech, election laws, and personal interests. The outcome of the election could have significant implications for both the state's political landscape and Tesla's business interests in Wisconsin.