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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 17 sepTember 2024
Betting on elections threatens confidence in voting and should be

banned, U.S. agency says

By WAYNE PARRY price of re-elections con-
Associated Press tracts for the senator during
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — a period in which the singer
Allowing people to bet on was rumored to be consid-
the outcome of U.S. elec- ering a candidacy. He ulti-
tions poses a great risk that mately did not run.
some will try to manipulate It also cited a case in 2012
the betting markets, which in which one trader bet
could cause more harm millions on Mitt Romney to
to the already fragile con- make the presidential elec-
fidence voters have in the tion look closer than it actu-
integrity of results, accord- ally was.
ing to a federal agency “These examples are not
that wants the bets to be mere speculation,” the
banned. commission wrote. “Manip-
The Commodities and Fu- ulation has happened, and
tures Trading Commission is is likely to recur.”
trying to prevent New York Unlike unregulated online
startup company Kalshi platforms, Kalshi sought out
from resuming offering bets regulatory oversight for its
on the outcome of this fall’s election bets, wanting the
congressional elections. benefit of government ap-
The company accepted Reflected in a mirror, people watch the presidential debate between Republican presidential proval.
an unknown number of nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President “Other election prediction
Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at the Gipsy Las Vegas in Las Vegas.
such bets last Friday dur- Associated Press markets ... are operating
ing an eight-hour window right now outside of any

between when a federal dictive futures contracts harm the integrity, or at tion gambling on U.S. fu- federal oversight, and are
judge cleared the way and essentially yes-no wagers least the perceived integ- tures exchanges will harm regularly cited by the press

when a federal appeals on the outcome of elec- rity, of elections at a time the public interest.” for their predictive data,”
court slammed the brakes tions, a practice that is reg- when such confidence is The commission noted that it wrote. “So a stay would
on them. ulated in the U.K. but is cur- already low. such attempts at manipula- accomplish nothing for
Those bets are now on hold rently prohibited in the U.S. “The district court’s order tion have already occurred election integrity; its only
while the appellate court The commission warns that has been construed by on at least two similar unap- effect would be to confine
considers the issue, with no misinformation and collu- Kalshi and others as open proved platforms, including all election trading activity
hearing scheduled yet. sion is likely to happen in season for election gam- a fake poll claiming that to unregulated exchanges.
At issue is whether Kalshi, an attempt to move those bling,” the commission singer Kid Rock was leading That would harm the public
and other companies, betting markets. And that, wrote in a brief filed Satur- Michigan Sen. Debbie Sta- interest.”q
should be free to issue pre- it says, could irreparably day. “An explosion in elec- benow, which moved the

After mass shooting, bill would require Army to use state crisis laws

to remove weapons

By DAVID SHARP 13 others on Oct. 25, 2023. red flag or yellow flag laws The Sagadahoc County deputy who tried to meet
Associated Press “We have a chance to aimed at removing weap- Sheriff’s Office was asked with Card was unaware of
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A help service members in ons from someone who’s to go to Card’s home and details about what hap-
bill introduced after a mass crisis. We have a chance experiencing a psychiatric check on his well-being pened in New York state
shooting in Maine would to help protect our neigh- emergency. after he’d threatened to or the extent of his mental
require the Army to use bors and families. We have Law enforcement officials “shoot up” the home of his health crisis.q
state crisis intervention laws a chance to save lives,” had known about Card’s Army Reserve unit, but a
to remove the weapons Collins said in a statement. growing paranoia, and
of a service member who Maine’s other senator, in- Card had been hospital-
is deemed to be a serious dependent Angus King, is a ized last summer while his
threat to themselves or oth- co-sponsor of the bill. reserve unit was training in
ers, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, This bill seeks to ensure New York state. Health care
the bill’s sponsor, said Mon- communication between providers who assessed him
day. state agencies and mili- said he was psychotic and
The Armed Forces Crisis tary service branches af- had a hit list, and recom-
Intervention Notification ter criticism that the Army mended that he not have
Act is aimed at addressing wasn’t as forthcoming access to weapons.
missed opportunities by the as it could’ve been with Military officials restricted
military and civilian law en- state law enforcement of- Card’s access to military
forcement to intervene be- ficials about the gunman, weapons but Card still had
fore an Army reservist who 40-year-old Robert Card, access to privately owned
had spiraled into psychosis before the shooting ram- weapons at his home in
opened fire at two loca- page. It requires the military Bowdoin, Maine. The Army
tions in Lewiston, Maine, kill- to participate in state crisis had no immediate com- Law enforcement gather outside Schemengee’s Bar and Grille,
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine.
ing 18 people and injuring actions, including so-called ment. Associated Press