U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren says Kansas and Arizona will get more time to respond to federal election officials’ request for a stay.
Melgren’s recent ruling requires them to enforce Kansas and Arizona’s new laws requiring voters to prove U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.
In March, Melgren ordered The U.S. Election Assistance Commission to change the national voter registration form to add special instructions for Arizona and Kansas residents about those states’ proof-of-citizenship requirements.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission and voting rights groups want Melgren to stay that ruling while the case goes to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The groups have until Friday to file their arguments. Both states say the new requirements prevent voter fraud. Critics say the rules are a tactic to suppress voter turnout.