government
Elon Musk likely broke the law by giving voters $1 million, Wisconsin board says
By ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 14, 2026
· 4 min read
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk likely broke Wisconsin law when he handed out $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, a bipartisan panel has found.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission last week referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s...
Key takeaway (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk likely broke Wisconsin law when he handed out $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, a bipartisan panel has found.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Wisconsin Elections Commission's decision to refer complaints against Elon Musk to the Brown County district attorney's office has significant implications for the integrity of elections in the Twin Cities' neighboring state. As a major battleground state, Wisconsin's election laws are closely watched by Minnesota voters and lawmakers. The fact that Musk's actions, including handing out $1 million checks to voters, may have violated Wisconsin law against election bribery raises questions about the influence of wealthy donors in local elections. In Minnesota, where election laws are similar, this case could set a precedent for how to regulate campaign finance and prevent undue influence by deep-pocketed individuals. As the Brown County district attorney considers whether to bring charges, Minnesotans will be watching to see how this case unfolds and what it might mean for the future of election integrity in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk likely broke Wisconsin law when he handed out $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, a bipartisan panel has found.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission last week referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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