government
Elon Musk's $1M Wisconsin voter giveaway likely was illegal, panel finds
By Finya Swai and The Hill at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 15, 2026
· 1 min read
A bipartisan elections panel found that billionaire Elon Musk likely violated Wisconsin’s election bribery law when he handed out $1 million checks to voters during the state’s Supreme Court election last year.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The finding that Elon Musk likely violated Wisconsin's election bribery law has implications for the role of wealthy individuals in influencing elections. In El Paso , where voters have seen their share of high-stakes elections, the issue of campaign finance and voter influence is particularly relevant. As the city's own elections approach, residents will be watching to see how local candidates and their supporters navigate the complex web of campaign finance laws. The fact that a billionaire like Musk was willing to take such a brazen approach to swaying voters raises questions about the potential for similar tactics to be used in local elections. El Paso voters will need to remain vigilant and informed about the sources of funding for local campaigns, and demand transparency from their elected officials. The city's election officials will also need to be proactive in ensuring that local elections are free from undue influence.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso 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 KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A bipartisan elections panel found that billionaire Elon Musk likely violated Wisconsin’s election bribery law when he handed out $1 million checks to voters during the state’s Supreme Court election last year.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Finya Swai and The Hill at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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