Elon Musk Promised People In Wisconsin $1 Million To Vote. Now He Might Face Criminal Charges For It

Elon Musk might have violated Wisconsin election laws when he offered $1 million checks to voters during a state Supreme Court election in 2025, a commission ruled.

CBS News reported that the Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5 to 1 to refer two complaints filed by voters to the Brown County District Attorney's office.

Specifically, the committee found that Musk possibly violated the law by "making a social media post that offered one million dollars to individuals who voted in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Election in order to induce them to vote in that election. The Commission hereby refers the complaint to the District Attorney of Brown County."

Under Wisconsin law, you cannot offer "anything of value" to induce a person to vote. Doing so could be considered election bribery.

The commission that made the criminal referral is comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans. Among its duties are ensuring that federal and state election laws are followed. Citizens can file complaints regarding potentially illegal election activity through the commission which can then make a referral if it believes the complaint has validity.

Ultimately, whether any charges are filed will be up to Brown County District Attorney David Lasee.

Musk, the founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, was heavily involved in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race in 2025 through his America PAC. NBC News reported that Musk, either directly or through associated groups such as the PAC, spent about $20 million supporting Brad Schimel, who was backed by Republicans. Despite the expenditures, Schimel lost by 10 points to Democratic-backed candidate Susan Crawford.

Also, the Associated Press reported that two weeks before the election, America PAC offered voters $100 to sign a petition opposing "activist judges," or if they referred someone to sign the petition.

Musk ultimately awarded $1 million checks to three voters who signed a petition to stop "activist judges," CBS News reported. One of the recipients was Nicholas Jacobs, who was the chairman of the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans at the time. Musk handed out large novelty checks at a political rally in Green Bay.

Musk initially posted on X that "I will also personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you taking the time to vote," according to Wisconsin Public Radio. He later deleted the post.

After deleting the post, Musk stated that the checks would be for people who signed his petition opposing activist judges and would not be related to voting, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.