Court Rules Against Kansas in Voting Case

Thousands of prospective voters in Kansas who did not provide citizenship documents will be able to vote in the November election under a federal appeals court ruling late Friday that upheld a judge’s order.

The ruling upholds U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson’s temporary order forcing Kansas to register more than 20,000 voters. The court previously refused to issue an emergency stay of the order, and this latest ruling comes after a three-judge panel heard oral arguments in the case.

The decision is the latest setback for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. It comes just a day after the Kansas Republican avoided contempt proceedings by striking a deal with the American Civil Liberties union to fully register and clearly inform affected voters that they could vote in the November election.