Wisconsin Judge Won't Stop Musk's 1 Million Payments To Voters. Attorney General Appeals

A Wisconsin judge on Saturday declined to stop billionaire Elon Musk from handing over 1 million checks to two voters in the state at a planned rally days before the closely contested Supreme Court election . The state attorney general, who argues that the offer violates the law, immediately appealed after the judge refused to hear the request for an emergency injunction to block the payments.

The ruling is the latest twist in Musk's deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election and has become a litmus test for the opening months of Donald Trump's presidency. Trump and Musk are backing Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel in the race, while Democrats are behind Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.

Musk plans a rally Sunday where he intends to give a pair of Wisconsin voters 1 million each for signing an online petition against "activist" judges. He is also offering 100 to anyone who signs it he previously gave 1 million to a Green Bay man who signed.

Musk and groups he funds have poured more than 20 million into the race, while Democratic megadonors, including George Soros, back Crawford. The race will determine ideological control of the court. Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority but a retirement this year puts the majority in play. The election concludes Tuesday.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, sued on Friday to stop the payments from Musk's America PAC, arguing they violated a state law making it a felony to give voters anything of value in exchange for them voting.