TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A delay in a major Kansas computer project is complicating Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s effort to have a proof-of-citizenship rule in place for new voters ahead of this year’s presidential election.
A law taking effect Jan. 1, 2013, will require people registering to vote for the first time in Kansas to prove their citizenship. Kobach wants to move the effective date of the rule to June 15.
The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee learned Wednesday that a key phase of a $40 million upgrade of the Department of Revenue’s computers won’t be ready until at least Aug. 1.
Many senators have said if that phase is completed they can be sure the department can transfer electronic copies of documents used to prove voters’ U.S. citizenship to election officials.
