Kobach pleased with schedule for voting rules suit

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says he’s pleased with the schedule set in a federal lawsuit filed by Kansas and Arizona in hopes of bolstering enforcement of the states’ proof-of-citizenship requirements for new voters.

Kobach said Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren’s schedule is reasonable. Melgren plans to have a Dec. 13 hearing on a request from the states for a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Kansas and Arizona want to force the commission to modify a national voter registration form to include instructions for their states’ residents to present proof of their U.S. citizenship when registering.

The U.S. Justice Department is representing the commission and declined to comment.

The states contend their laws prevent election fraud. Critics say they suppress voter turnout.