Kansas House To Debate Kobach’s Bill

The Kansas House is preparing to debate
Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s (KOH’-bahks) bill to require some
potential voters to prove they’re U.S. citizens before this year’s
presidential election.
The bill on the chamber’s agenda Wednesday would impose the
proof-of-citizenship requirement on June 15, more than six months
ahead of schedule. It would apply to people registering to vote for
the first time in Kansas.
Last year, legislators enacted a proof-of-citizenship
requirement along with a law requiring voters to show photo
identification at the polls. But that proof-of-citizenship rule
doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2013.
Kobach says he wants the rule in place in time for the surge of
voter registration that occurs before a presidential election.
Critics say the bill will suppress voter participation.