Elon Musk may have broken election law by offering $1 million checks to voters, Wisconsin board finds
Wisconsin Commission Identifies Potential Election Law Violations by Elon Musk
Elon Musk may have broken election - A significant legal development has unfolded in Wisconsin, where the state's Elections Commission has determined that billionaire technology executive Elon Musk could potentially be in breach of local bribery statutes concerning elections. This conclusion stems from Musk's controversial initiative to distribute substantial cash rewards to citizens who participate in political petition drives. The commission's decision highlights concerns over whether these financial incentives constitute an improper inducement to vote, particularly within the context of a high-stakes judicial race.
Referral to District Attorney
The commission, which maintains a balanced composition of three Republican and three Democratic members, reached a decisive 5-1 vote last Thursday. This majority agreed to forward two separate complaints, originally lodged by concerned voters, to the office of the Brown County District Attorney. Emilee Miklas, serving as the commission's Communications Director, confirmed the referral to CBS News. The formal motion approved by the committee established that there is "probable cause" to believe Musk transgressed a specific state regulation. This legislation criminalizes the act of presenting an individual with "anything of value" with the intent of influencing their voting behavior.
It currently remains uncertain whether David Lasee, the chief prosecutor responsible for the county encompassing Green Bay, will initiate formal criminal proceedings. Representatives from CBS News have contacted both Lasee and Musk seeking clarification on the matter. The legal scrutiny centers on Musk's increasingly publicized strategy of providing monetary rewards to select voters who endorse his political group's petitions. This practice gained prominence during Musk's support for President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential bid and persisted through Wisconsin's critical judicial election held in April 2025.
Details of the Wisconsin Judicial Election
During the early part of last year, Musk's America PAC distributed $1 million checks to three distinct voters in Wisconsin. These individuals had signed a petition opposing what they termed "activist judges." This financial gesture occurred amidst a closely watched contest for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Musk and his affiliated political action committee invested millions of dollars to support the campaign of Brad Schimel, a Republican candidate. Despite this significant financial backing, Schimel ultimately fell short in his bid, losing to Susan Crawford, who was endorsed by Democrats.
At the time of the election, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, initiated legal action to halt Musk's payment distribution. Kaul contended that the billionaire was contravening state law by offering money directly to voters. Musk's legal representatives countered this assertion, arguing that the billionaire was simply exercising his constitutional right to free speech. The state's highest court eventually chose not to intervene in the dispute. Shortly before the election, Musk appeared at a rally and presented oversized novelty checks to two voters who had been designated as spokespeople for his political action committee.
Post-Election Litigation and National Implications
Following the conclusion of the election, an advocacy organization filed a lawsuit against Musk and America PAC in state court. The plaintiffs argued that the cash distributions violated the state's election bribery statute and also functioned as an unauthorized lottery. Musk's legal team has requested that the case be dismissed, though the matter remains pending. This Wisconsin situation mirrors similar controversies that have emerged in other parts of the United States.
During the 2024 presidential election, Musk faced intense scrutiny for offering daily $1 million checks to voters in several swing states. In Pennsylvania, District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk, claiming the daily payouts breached both state election and lottery regulations. However, Musk's attorneys successfully argued that the strategy was protected as "core political speech." A judge subsequently permitted the payouts to continue. Meanwhile, in Arizona, a voter has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Musk of fraud and breach of contract. The plaintiff alleges that Musk falsely represented that winners would be chosen randomly, when in reality they were "vetted" similarly to job applicants. Lawyers for Musk acknowledged the non-random selection process but maintained that the plaintiff failed to prove fraud or suffer actual injury. A federal magistrate judge in Texas recently ruled that the fraud claim should proceed, while the breach of contract claim was set aside, awaiting further review by a district court judge.