The Wisconsin Elections Commission has found that billionaire Elon Musk may have violated the state's election bribery law by offering $1 million checks to voters during a Wisconsin Supreme Court election last year. The commission, composed of three Republicans and three Democrats, voted 5-1 on Thursday, July 10th, 2026, to refer two complaints filed by voters against Musk to the Brown County District Attorney's office, according to commission Communications Director Emilee Miklas.

A motion approved by the commission found "probable cause" that Musk violated a state law that criminalizes offering a person "anything of value" to induce them to vote. The legal complaint centers on Musk's practice of offering cash giveaways to voters who signed petitions from his political action committee, Musk America PAC. This practice began during Musk's backing of President Trump's 2024 campaign and continued through Wisconsin's April 2025 judicial election.

In Wisconsin, Musk's PAC awarded $1 million checks early in 2025 to three voters who signed a petition against "activist judges." During that election, Musk and his group spent millions backing GOP-endorsed Judge Brad Schimel's campaign for a seat on the state Supreme Court; however, Schimel lost to Democratic-endorsed Judge Susan Crawford.

At the time, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, sued to stop Musk from making the payments, accusing him of violating state law by offering money to voters. The state's highest court declined to take up the issue. Musk later handed out giant novelty checks to voters who became spokespeople for his PAC at a rally days before the election.

It remains unclear whether Brown County District Attorney David Lasee, the top prosecutor in the county that includes Green Bay, will pursue charges.

Musk has also faced scrutiny in other states for similar giveaways. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk for offering daily $1 million checks to Pennsylvania voters, arguing the payouts violated state election and lottery laws. Musk's lawyers contended the strategy was protected as "core political speech," and a judge allowed the payouts to continue.

Sources