Wisconsin Elections Commission warns against election betting

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has warned voters that placing a bet on an election outcome and then voting in that same election can disqualify them from casting a ballot and may trigger voter-qualification challenges or referrals to prosecutors. Wisconsin law explicitly prohibits voting in an election after wagering on its result, and intentionally voting when not qualified can be a Class I felony. The guidance references prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which allow yes/no contracts on election outcomes, highlighting potential legal and ethical risks for participants. Officials note there are no federal laws governing election prediction markets, but 23 states have statutes addressing this issue, and bills like the STOP Corrupt Bets Act have been proposed. Some state lawmakers and election officials argue the law is meant to protect the integrity of the vote, while prediction market operators contend the activities are distinct from traditional wagering and have contested enforcement. The guidance underscores that engaging with prediction markets could jeopardize voting rights and potentially lead to felony charges, reinforcing Wisconsin’s stance in a broader national debate over the legality and enforcement of prediction markets in elections.