TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The House has advanced a bill that would give Kansas’ secretary of state the power to prosecute election fraud.
The chamber gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday.
Several lawmakers questioned the necessity of the bill, given the relatively few recorded instances of election fraud. Others expressed concern that the Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach might bring charges when prosecutors believed people did not intentionally break the law.
The measure gained 63 votes Wednesday, which is the minimum needed for it to pass during the final vote expected Thursday. Democratic Rep. John Carmichael from Wichita said he voted for the bill to attempt a procedural tactic, but will vote against the bill Thursday.
The bill would go to the governor if approved.
