The Kansas House is preparing to debate
Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s (KOH’-bahk’s) bill to require
voters to show photo identification at the polls.
The measure on the House’s calendar for Thursday contains the
Republican secretary of state’s proposed Secure and Fair Elections
Act.
He says it will give Kansas the toughest laws in the nation
against election fraud. Critics contend the measure will suppress
turnout, something Kobach denies.
Besides the photo ID requirement, the bill would require people
who register to vote for the first time in the state to provide
proof they are citizens.
It also increases the penalties for election crimes and gives
the secretary of state’s office the authority to file and prosecute
election fraud cases.