The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) issued a statement on Tuesday warning residents that betting on an election in which they also vote is a violation of state law. WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe stated that residents cannot legally place a wager on a race and cast a ballot in that same contest.
Under Wisconsin Statute, participation in election betting by a voter is classified as a Class I felony. Conviction of a felony in Wisconsin results in the loss of the right to vote until the individual has completed their full sentence, including any period of probation or parole.
The warning follows the increased prominence of prediction markets such as Kalshi, where users can trade contracts based on the outcomes of political events. While federal regulators and courts have engaged in ongoing litigation regarding the legality of these platforms at the national level, the WEC clarified that state-level prohibitions remain in effect for participants who cast ballots.
Representatives for Kalshi expressed disagreement with the warning, though the commission maintained that state law regarding election-related gambling remains enforceable. The WEC stated its intent is to ensure voters are aware of potential legal consequences before participating in such markets.