A lawsuit challenging a Kansas law requiring voters to present a photo ID when casting a ballot has been moved from state to federal court.

The suit was filed in June by Wichita attorney Jim Lawing on behalf of two Overbrook residents who are challenging the constitutionality of the 2011 changes in the Kansas voting laws.

Secretary of State Kris Kobach says Tuesday that his office initiated the change of venue because Lawing’s clients are raising federal voting law issues that were decided in a U.S. Supreme Court case out of Arizona.

The case has been assigned to federal Judge Kathryn Vratil. No hearing date has been set.

Critics have denounced the new voting laws as an attempt to suppress voter turnout among poor, minority and elderly voters.