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Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Underway Amid Record Spending and Musk’s Controversial Payments

Elon Musk’s $1 million voter payouts and $20 recruitment incentives proceed as the high-stakes race could reshape U.S. political power.

Elon Musk presents a check for $1 million dollars during a town hall Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
TOPSHOT - Elon Musk wears a Cheesehead hat as he speaks during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 30, 2025. An election to choose a new supreme court judge in the northern US state of Wisconsin wouldn't usually make much noise. But when the world's richest man took an interest in the race, people began to notice, and protests on March 30 drew crowds. Tech baron and political provocateur Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has poured money into the Tuesday election, hoping to secure a conservative win. (Photo by Robin LEGRAND / AFP) (Photo by ROBIN LEGRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Elon Musk speaks during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 30, 2025.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, center, speaks with supporters as former Gov. Scott Walker, left, watches on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)

Overview

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court election, taking place today, has garnered national attention due to its potential to shift the court’s ideological balance on issues like abortion rights, redistricting, and labor laws.
  • Elon Musk has spent over $20 million supporting conservative candidate Brad Schimel, making the race the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history with over $81 million in total spending.
  • Musk handed out $1 million checks to two voters at a rally on March 30, and is offering $20 incentives for recruiting voters, actions that were upheld by the state Supreme Court despite legal challenges.
  • The election is seen as pivotal for congressional redistricting, which could affect the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority.
  • Early voting turnout has surged nearly 50% compared to 2023, underscoring the heightened stakes and nationalization of this state-level judicial contest.