By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Technology continues to change daily life, for the better and for the worse. Sports betting is legal in approximately 80 percent of U.S. States, and other platforms like Kalshi allow wagering on just about anything. Wagers on political races are on the books, and with so much money on the line, states are trying to maintain the integrity of those races. Tuesday morning, the Barton County Commission approved Resolution 2026-21, which prohibits anyone directly involved in local elections from wagering or betting on election outcomes. Election Officer Bev Schmeidler presented the issue.
“Our staff takes great pride in conducting fair and honest elections,” she said. “This resolution will just help reinforce those beliefs. We just ask for approval.”
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson asked County Counselor Todd Powell if the resolution was necessary at the county level given federal laws are already in place. Powell said the resolution is not necessary but it makes sense.
“I think on the recommendation of the secretary of state, based on the action they’re taking and our policy tracks fairly similarly to theirs...,” Powell said.
As of Oct. 13, more than $4 million had been wagered on the U.S. Senate race in Kansas. More than $3.5 million in contracts were traded on Kalshi, and nearly $900,000 in contracts had been traded on Polymarket. Prediction markets have existed for previous elections but never before at the level of trading seen ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.