Wisconsin Board Finds Musk Likely Broke Election Law With $1M Voter Checks

Wisconsin’s bipartisan Elections Commission found probable cause on July 10 that Elon Musk violated the state’s election bribery law by offering $1 million checks to voters during the 2025 Supreme Court race. The commission voted 5-1 to refer two voter complaints to Brown County District Attorney David Lasee, who now has 40 days to decide whether to file criminal charges. Musk spent at least $20 million backing Republican Brad Schimel, who lost to Democrat Susan Crawford by 10 percentage points in the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history.

What Musk did and why it matters

Musk made a social media post offering $1 million to individuals who voted in Wisconsin’s 2025 Supreme Court election to induce them to vote. At a Green Bay rally days before the election, he handed out two $1 million checks to voters. He also offered $100 payments to registered voters who signed a petition opposing “activist judges.” Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value to induce someone to vote. The Wisconsin Elections Commission found probable cause the billionaire broke this law.

The failed legal challenge and court rejection

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sued before the election to block Musk from handing out the $1 million checks, arguing it violated state bribery law. The courts rejected Kaul’s bid, and Wisconsin’s liberal-controlled Supreme Court declined to take up the issue. A separate lawsuit filed by the liberal firm Law Forward against Musk over the same conduct remains pending. Voters also filed a class action lawsuit against America PAC, Musk’s political group, over its 2024 giveaway after the PAC admitted it did not choose winners at random.

What happens next and the timeline

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee, a Republican, has 40 days from July 10 to report back to the Elections Commission on whether he will pursue criminal charges. Musk has not commented on the referral. A judge ordered Musk last month to testify under oath in the class action lawsuit against America PAC. The referral marks the first formal legal step toward potential criminal prosecution.

The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race and Musk’s role

Musk and groups he supported spent at least $20 million backing Republican Brad Schimel in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Total spending on the race topped $100 million, making it the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. Schimel lost to Democrat Susan Crawford by 10 percentage points. A month after the loss, Musk announced he would spend far less on political campaigns going forward.

Final Thoughts

The Wisconsin Elections Commission’s referral to prosecutors is the first formal step toward potential criminal charges against Musk for election bribery. Whether District Attorney Lasee pursues charges will determine if Musk faces trial over the voter payments.

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