The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 26, 2025
An Elon Musk Super PAC is offering a $100 bounty for Wisconsin petition signers in a data collection scheme just days before a state supreme court election. While it’s illegal under federal and state law to pay someone to register, vote, or not to vote, it’s sadly not illegal to offer a bounty for voters’ personal information.
Axios reports that Musk has already spent $20 million dollars in the state race to support judge and former state attorney general Brad Schimel, endorsed Friday by President Donald Trump.
Similar to a $47 bounty Musk offered in the 2024 presidential campaign, his America PAC promises $100 for each referral of a qualified Wisconsin voter who then signs a petition opposing activist judges. The referred voter must include a valid email and phone, likely to be used for get-out-the-vote efforts.
In a March 1st stump speech to supporters, candidate Schimel said, “Donald Trump doesn’t do this by himself. There has to be a support network around him,” he said. He noted there were 70 lawsuits filed against Trump’s actions, and QUOTE “The only way we’re going to stop that, is if the courts stop it.”
Judge Schimel apparently has not signed the petition, which reads, “Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas.”
Find a link to the petition and the Schimel’s stump speech at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Axios – Musk’s PAC offers $100 to Wisconsin voters in pitch against “activist judges”
Wisconsin Examiner – Musk PAC offers Wisconsin voters $100 for signing petition against ‘activist judges’
WISN – Trump, Musk back Brad Schimel ahead of State Supreme Court Election
America PAC – TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AMERICA PAC’S ACTIVIST JUDGES PETITION PROGRAM FOR WISCONSIN VOTERS
America PAC – Petition in Opposition to Activist Judges
Wisconsin Examiner – Schimel tells canvassers he’ll be ‘support network’ for Trump and rehashes election conspiracies
Schimel Campaign – 2025 03 01 Brad Schimel Speaks at Turning Point USA Waukesha
Influence Watch – America PAC
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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