government
Elon Musk likely broke the law by promising voters $1 million payouts, 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 promised to hand 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 ...
Key takeaway (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk likely broke Wisconsin law when he promised to hand 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 situation in Wisconsin has implications for Minnesota, where election laws and campaign finance regulations are also in place to prevent bribery and ensure fair voting processes. As the Wisconsin Elections Commission's decision to refer complaints to the district attorney's office shows, there are consequences for attempting to influence voters with large sums of money. In the Twin Cities, where local elections can be highly contested, the Wisconsin case serves as a reminder to candidates and donors to be mindful of Minnesota's own laws regarding election bribery. The fact that Musk's efforts in Wisconsin ultimately did not sway the outcome of the election may also be of interest to Minnesota voters, who may be considering the role of money in local politics. As the Brown County district attorney's office decides whether to bring charges, Minnesotans may be watching to see how this case could impact future elections in their own state.
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 promised to hand 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 ...
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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