Wisconsin Warns Voters Betting on Elections Face Disqualification

The Wisconsin Elections Commission issued a warning on July 21, 2026, stating that voters who bet on an election may be disqualified from casting a ballot in that same contest. This guidance follows the increased popularity of online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.

Under Wisconsin Statute 6.03(2), any person with a direct or indirect interest in a wager tied to an election outcome is disqualified from voting. Intentionally voting while disqualified constitutes a Class I felony under Statute 12.13(1)(a). Officials noted that those attempting to vote after wagering may face administrative challenges and referrals to local district attorneys.

Simultaneously, Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #294, which prohibits executive branch employees from using nonpublic government information to profit from prediction markets. These measures align with a broader national trend, as 23 states maintain similar prohibitions and U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Stop Trading On Predictions (STOP) Corrupt Bets Act of 2026 to ban such wagering federally.