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00000179-cdc6-d978-adfd-cfc6d7d40002Coverage of the issues, races and people shaping Kansas elections in 2016, including statewide coverage in partnership with KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, and High Plains Public Radio.

Kobach’s Office Makes Late Filing In Lawsuit Over Kansas Voting Rules

Stephen Koranda
/
KPR/File photo
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach speaks to reporters earlier this year.

A fight over the voter registration laws in Kansas is down to deadlines. Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s office missed a deadline in a lawsuit challenging the proof-of-citizenship requirement. As Stephen Koranda reports, that caused a judge to rule against Kobach.

Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys challenging the law, says they will oppose the judge accepting the document because Kobach was late with another filing already in the suit.

“The secretary missed the answer date, but we gave them additional time," Johnson says. "We’ve let them do this once. We’re not going to agree to it twice."

The lawsuit argues the state’s proof-of-citizenship law for voter registration violates the Constitution. The AP reports previous court rulings have temporarily narrowed the rule so it doesn't apply to people who use a federal registration form or register at state motor vehicle offices.

Johnson says no matter what U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson decides to do about the late filing, there’s likely more legal fighting ahead in the lawsuit.

Secretary of State Kobach’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

If the default ruling against Kobach stands, then the state would not be able to enforce the proof-of-citizenship law for voter registration.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.