Warning: Undefined array key "post_type_share_twitter_account" in /var/www/vhosts/casinonewsblogger.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/cryptocurrency/vslmd/share/share.php on line 24
- The Wisconsin Elections Commission is warning those who may bet on elections that it could cost them their right to vote
- The commission warns residents they cannot legally place a bet on an election and then vote in that same election
- Wisconsin law prohibits a voter from making a bet or a wager on the outcome of an election
Bet on a Wisconsin election with a prediction market operator and you may lose the right to vote in that election, the Wisconsin Elections Commission is warning state voters.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission released a public notice warning state voters to not place bets or wagers on the outcome of state elections. Wisconsin law prohibits a voter from making a bet or a wager on the outcome of an election and could cost them the right to vote in an election if they place a bet on its outcome.
“We want voters to understand that they cannot legally make a bet on an election and cast a ballot in that same election,” Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe said in a released statement. “We are not able to police someone placing a bet on these platforms, but it’s important for voters to understand the consequences if they bet on an election outcome.”
Wisconsin Law Prohibits Election Betting
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, state law is clear that a voter cannot, even indirectly, bet on the outcome of an election and then vote in that same election. Wisconsin Statute § 6.03(2) disqualifies residents from voting in an election which they have made, directly or indirectly, any bet or wager depending upon the result of the election.
Residents who place a bet on an election, and then try to vote in that election may be subject to voter qualification administrative challenges. If successful, this would bar the resident from being able to cast a ballot in the election they voted on and could result in a referral to the District Attorney.
Additionally, Wisconsin Statute § 12.13(1)(a) makes it a class I felony to intentionally vote in an election without being qualified to do so, the elections commission states.
Prediction market operators such as a Kalshi, Robinhood, and Polymarket typically do offer event contracts on certain election outcomes.
Kalshi Says This Akin to Voter Suppression
A Kalshi spokesperson told Sports Betting Dime the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s warning is “blatant voter suppression.”
“Kalshi has hundreds of thousands of users in Wisconsin. Implying they can’t vote because they use Kalshi is not only dishonest, it is blatant voter suppression. If even a handful of our users in Wisconsin see this and get scared away from voting, that could EASILY swing an election. This rhetoric is incredibly dangerous to democracy, and we hope the WEC retracts their statement before a court forces them to,” the spokesperson said.
There are currently no active lawsuits centered around the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s warning or the legality of Kalshi’s election markets in Wisconsin.