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Elon Musk’s Super PAC is offering $100 to registered Wisconsin voters who sign a petition opposing “activist judges.”
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Wisconsin is set to hold a pivotal state Supreme Court election on April 1 that could reshape the ideological balance of its highest judicial body. The race will determine whether the court maintains its current liberal majority or flips to a conservative tilt, with major implications for state policies on redistricting, abortion, and voting rights. Although traditionally a Democratic stronghold, Wisconsin flipped red in 2024 when Donald Trump narrowly carried the state, making it a key battleground in national politics. In the lead-up to this election, both Trump and Elon Musk have ramped up their criticism of what they call “partisan judges” who they claim are obstructing the administration’s agenda.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, revealed it’s offering $100 to any registered Wisconsin voter who signs a petition opposing “activist judges,” and another $100 for each additional signer they refer. The campaign is timed to influence the upcoming April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, where Republican candidate Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general and Trump ally, is facing off against Democratic Judge Susan Crawford. While the petition doesn’t obligate participants to vote for either candidate, it’s being used as a data collection and outreach tool to mobilize conservative-leaning voters.
The petition itself echoes rhetoric used by Trump and Musk, claiming judges are overstepping their role by imposing political agendas rather than interpreting the law. This message was recently pushed back against by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who issued a statement earlier this week after Trump called for the impeachment of a judge who halted his deportation plans under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
Musk’s tactic is drawing some scrutiny from those who have concerns with offering cash incentives for voter registration. Musk previously did this during the 2024 presidential election, when his PAC ran a sweepstakes in Pennsylvania and other swing states, giving $1 million per day to randomly selected voters who signed pro-Trump petitions supporting free speech and Second Amendment rights. That effort faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from the Philadelphia District Attorney, though a judge ultimately allowed the sweepstakes to proceed just before Election Day.
This comes as Democrats are mounting a counteroffensive, with a coalition of wealthy liberal donors launching “The People v. Musk,” a multi-million dollar initiative designed to counter Musk’s influence over judiciary-related elections. Major financial backing is coming from Democratic megadonor George Soros (directed by his son Alex) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
