government
Elon Musk likely broke the law by promising voters $1 million payouts, Wisconsin board says
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
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 attorney's office, whi...
Key takeaway The tech titan and groups he supported spent at least $20 million on the candidate backed by Republicans, Brad Schimel.
Why this matters in The Waco
The Wisconsin Elections Commission's referral of complaints to the Brown County district attorney's office has significant implications for the integrity of elections in Waco 's neighboring states. While Waco is in Texas, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for election laws across the country, including in the Lone Star State. The fact that Musk's actions are being scrutinized for potentially violating Wisconsin's election bribery law raises questions about the influence of wealthy individuals on local elections. In McLennan County, where Waco is located, voters may be watching this case closely to see how it might impact future elections in their own community. The commission's bipartisan decision to refer the complaints suggests that there is concern about the potential for election bribery, regardless of party affiliation. As prosecutors in Brown County consider whether to bring charges, Waco residents may be wondering what measures are in place to prevent similar incidents in their own local elections.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 attorney's office, whi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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