Democrats propose election bribery bill after Elon Musk's $1 million giveaways to voters

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation that would maker harder for billionaire Elon Musk to hand out $1 million checks to voters.

Under the bill, the state's election bribery law would include a provision making it illegal for political donors to ask voters to sign an election-related petition. The proposal also applies to candidate nomination papers or a recall petition. 

On Thursday, the proposal was unveiled during a press conference outside the Brown County courthouse by the bill authors Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) and Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay). 

"Interfering in this way is essentially bribery disguised as civil engagement," Snodgrass said. 

Courts did not stop Musk from distributing three $1 million checks during the state Supreme Court campaign despite attempts by Attorney General Josh Kaul to block the effort.

Days before the state Supreme court election, Musk visited Green Bay to hand out two checks to voters that signed his petition "opposing activist judges." He campaigned for the conservative candidate Brad Schimel, who ultimately lost by 10 points to liberal backed candidate Susan Crawford last Tuesday.

Crawford's victory cemented liberals' majority on the state Supreme court for the next three years.

Musk and his super PAC poured more than $20 million into the race supporting Schimel and criticizing Crawford.

Democratic lawmakers also introduced another bill targeting big money in politics. The measure seeks to limit election spending by proposing a constitutional amendment. 

"We could do something here in Wisconsin to get big money and dark money out of our elections," said Snodgrass. 

The Appleton Democrat said she has not discussed the bills with Republican lawmakers. Both proposals could face an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Legislature. 

Republicans who serve on the Assembly Elections Committee did not respond to requests for comment.