Judge Refuses To Stay Order Over Voter Citizenship

A federal judge in Wichita has refused to stay his order for federal election officials to immediately enforce Kansas and Arizona laws requiring new voters to document their U.S. citizenship.

U.S. District Eric Melgren on Wednesday denied requests from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and voting rights groups to stay his ruling while the case goes to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Melgren ordered the commission to proceed without delay on his March directive to immediately modify its national voter registration form. The March ruling requires the agency to add special instructions for Arizona and Kansas residents about their states’ proof-of-citizenship requirements.

Arizona and Kansas officials contend their state’s requirements prevent voter fraud. Critics of such laws argue they suppress voter turnout.