The Wisconsin Elections Commission has voted 5-1 to refer complaints involving Elon Musk to the Brown County District Attorney after finding probable cause that he likely violated Wisconsin’s election bribery law during the state’s 2025 Supreme Court race. Read more:

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has voted 5-1 to refer complaints involving Elon Musk to the Brown County District Attorney after finding probable cause that he likely violated Wisconsin’s election bribery law during the state’s 2025 Supreme Court race.

According to the commission, Musk allegedly offered $1 million to people who voted in the election “in order to induce them to vote.” The commission’s bipartisan membership includes three Democrats and three Republicans, with five commissioners voting in favor of the referral.

The referral does not mean Musk has been charged with a crime. Instead, it sends the matter to the Brown County District Attorney, who now has 40 days to determine whether criminal charges should be filed and report back to the commission. Under Wisconsin law, the Elections Commission can refer matters to prosecutors after finding probable cause.

The complaints stem from Musk’s involvement in Wisconsin’s 2025 state Supreme Court election, where he and groups supporting him spent at least $20 million backing Republican candidate Brad Schimel. Musk also handed $1 million checks to three Wisconsin voters and his America PAC offered $100 to people who signed a petition opposing what it called “activist judges.” Schimel ultimately lost the race to Democratic-backed Susan Crawford.

Musk has previously argued the giveaways were protected political speech and were intended to promote a grassroots movement rather than illegally influence votes. Similar legal challenges to his petition-based giveaways in Pennsylvania during the 2024 election did not succeed.

At this point, no criminal charges have been filed. The next step is the district attorney’s review, which will determine whether prosecutors believe the evidence supports bringing a criminal case.

This is something we will be watching very closely to make sure to follow up comment for updates.