WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Secretary of State Kris Kobach has asked a federal appeals court to stay a judge’s order to add to voting rolls for federal elections thousands of Kansans who did not provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote at motor vehicle offices.

The Kansas Republican argued in a filing Friday to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that the process would be administratively burdensome and would involve thousands of hours of work by election officials.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson issued the preliminary injunction Tuesday after finding more than 18,000 eligible voters would be disenfranchised in the November federal election under the Kansas law.

She put her order on hold until May 31 so the state could appeal.

Kobach is asking for a stay while it appeals the order.