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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 Back In Court This Week To Defend Kansas Voting Laws

Stephen Koranda
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KPR/File photo

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will head to court again this week in a lawsuit over the state’s voter registration laws. At issue are thousands of people who registered to vote at the DMV but did not provide a proof-of-citizenship document required under Kansas law.

After a federal court ruling earlier this year, Kobach said those Kansas DMV voters could only cast ballots in federal races; their votes in state races would not be counted.

But Shawnee County Judge Larry Hendricks put Kobach’s rule on hold in late July, just days before the primary election. Hendricks said those Kansans would be allowed to vote in all races.

This week, Hendricks will consider if his temporary injunction blocking the rule should be extended. Whatever he decides will likely affect voting in the fall election.

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.