Wal-Mart and Small Town Voter Influence

Wal-Mart has been fined for "failure to register with the Monroe city clerk before a 2005 referendum on so-called big box stores, in violation of state campaign finance law." Also, here.

The civil forfeiture action alleged that Wal-Mart spent money on ads, a mass mailing and a public relations company to encourage "yes" votes on the referendum.

The question on the non-binding referendum was "Are you in favor of the City of Monroe allowing the construction of a very large retail supercenter store?" Wal-Mart was not mentioned.

Unfortunately, the fine was a miniscule $753. Monroe, WI voters were smart enough to ignore the illegal Wal-Mart campaign.