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.

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.