Elon Musk Accused of Violating Wisconsin Election Laws

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has reported that Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, might have violated election bribery laws in the state. This conclusion stems from Musk’s offers of $1 million checks to voters during a Wisconsin Supreme Court election, where his political action committee made significant financial contributions.

The Commission, comprised of three Republicans and three Democrats, voted 5-1 to forward two complaints filed by voters against Musk to the Brown County District Attorney’s office. Emilee Miklas, the Communications Director for the Commission, confirmed this decision to CBS News.

The Commission found ‘probable cause’ suggesting that Musk breached a state law which criminalizes offering anything of value to influence a voter’s action.

David Lasee, the Brown County District Attorney, is the top prosecutor in an area that includes Green Bay. It remains uncertain if he plans to pursue charges against Musk. CBS News has reached out to both Lasee and Musk for their comments.

This legal controversy centers on Musk’s practice of offering cash giveaways to specific voters supporting his political initiatives. Initially, this strategy supported President Trump’s 2024 campaign and continued into Wisconsin’s April 2025 judicial election.

In the Wisconsin election, Musk’s America PAC granted $1 million checks to three voters who signed a petition opposing ‘activist judges.’ Despite significant spending in support of GOP Judge Brad Schimel, who ultimately lost to Democratic Judge Susan Crawford, these actions caught public attention.

Following these events, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, sued to stop Musk’s payments, arguing they breached state law by incentivizing voters with money. Musk’s attorneys countered these accusations, claiming his actions were protected as free speech. Although the state’s Supreme Court opted not to address the matter, Musk distributed symbolic large checks to voters at a rally shortly before the election.

After the election, another group legally contested Musk and America PAC’s actions, asserting they violated the state’s election bribery statute and constituted an illegal lottery. Although Musk’s legal team sought to dismiss this lawsuit, it is still under consideration.

Musk faced additional scrutiny in several swing states during the 2024 presidential election. The Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed a lawsuit against Musk for offering $1 million checks daily to Pennsylvania voters, claiming this violated state election and lottery regulations. However, Musk’s attorneys defended the payouts as protected political speech, and a judge permitted them to continue.