A northeast Kansas county will pay for copies of birth certificates for some voters needing to document their U.S. citizenship to register if they cannot afford to obtain the records.

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew announced the policy Wednesday. Shew said he’s addressing what he called an unfairness created by a state law requiring new voters to prove their citizenship.

The law says people born in Kansas are eligible for free copies of their birth certificates. Voters born outside the state must pay between $10 and $60.

Shew said his office will cover the cost for such voters if they can’t afford it. He said his office’s current budget can cover the cost. So far, it’s identified about five people who’d be helped by the policy.

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Associated Press information from: Lawrence Journal-World