Kobach: Court Ruling Won’t Block Kansas Voter Law

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for new voters can still be enforced after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against a similar Arizona law.

Kobach says the Kansas law differs enough from Arizona’s version that the high court’s Monday decision doesn’t apply to Kansas.

County election officials in Kansas said they were waiting for guidance from Kobach.

But Kobach’s position could prompt a federal lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union.

The law took effect in January and applies to people registering to vote for the first time in Kansas. They must provide a birth certificate, passport or some other proof of citizenship.

The Supreme Court said the Arizona law conflicted with federal voting laws.