Wisconsin Elections Commission Warns Election Contract Traders May Lose Voting Rights; Kalshi Calls Guidance Unconstitutional

According to Odaily, Wisconsin Elections Commission warned on July 9 that residents trading election-related contracts on Kalshi or Polymarket may lose voting rights in those same elections, with violations constituting a Class I felony. The commission issued the guidance statewide on Tuesday following a unanimous vote. The restriction applies only to the corresponding election and does not affect voting rights in other unrelated elections.

Kalshi's election head Benjamin Freeman stated the guidance is "clearly unconstitutional and unlawful," noting the platform has hundreds of thousands of users in Wisconsin. The company and Polymarket both assert their products are tradable financial contracts, not gambling, and are subject to CFTC oversight.