Elon Musk faces felony charges in Wisconsin over voter giveaway

A Wisconsin elections panel has found probable cause that Elon Musk violated state law by offering $1 million to voters, referring the case to a local prosecutor for potential felony charges. The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) voted 5-1 in a closed session on July 9 to refer two complaints to Brown County District Attorney David Lasee.

The commission's proceedings are now closed, leaving the decision on prosecution to Lasee. His office has 40 days to report on any action taken, though this deadline does not mandate a final decision. This referral does not constitute a criminal charge or a finding of guilt.

Election bribery is a Class I felony in Wisconsin, punishable by up to three and a half years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The case highlights a recurring issue within the Super PAC founded by Musk in 2024: Musk's public descriptions of initiatives sometimes differ materially from those presented by the PAC's officials or lawyers.

Musk's initial post, offering $1 million each to two individuals "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote," reportedly received significantly more views than a later clarification that designated recipients as spokespeople for America PAC's petition. Complaints allege the PAC paid Wisconsin voters $100 to sign its petition and an additional $100 per referral, required registrants to disclose voting intentions, and featured a $1 million recipient with a "Vote Schimel" sign. These claims have not been adjudicated.