House Panel Passes Voter ID Bill

A voting bill sought by Secretary of State Kris Kobach has been approved by a Kansas House committee.

The House Elections and Local Government Committee amended the bill Monday to clarify documents that voters could use to prove citizenship when registering to vote.

It also sets a process for first-time voters to prove citizenship if they lack documents when they initially register.

Kobach says the changes are necessary to prevent voter fraud and to preserve the integrity of the election process.

Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, saying the changes will disenfranchise voters by requiring extra steps to vote.

The House expects to debate the bill later this week.