Southwest Kansas Election To Test Voter ID Law

A southwest Kansas town’s election next month on a sales tax question will be the first test of a new state law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

The new law takes effect Sunday.

On Jan. 10, Cimarron, with 2,200 residents about 175 miles west of Wichita, voters will decide whether to impose a 1.25 percent sales tax to help finance construction of a new swimming pool.

Gray County Clerk Bonnie Swartz said Tuesday that she’s not anticipating problems. The city has one polling place, and Swartz said seven experienced poll workers will staff it.

Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who persuaded legislators to enact the law earlier this year, says he’ll travel to Gray County to observe.