TOPEKA — A former Kansas House candidate has asked the state Supreme Court to order a county’s judges to convene a grand jury to investigate Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
Democrat Steven Davis of Lawrence filed his request last week after Douglas County’s chief judge rejected Davis’ petition for a grand jury.
Davis wants the grand jury to investigate whether the Republican secretary of state or his subordinates mishandled online voter registrations.
Davis circulated petitions after hearing anecdotes about potential problems, but even some of Kobach’s toughest critics haven’t seen evidence of wrongdoing. Kobach did not immediately return telephone messages seeking comment.
Kansas is among a handful of states allowing citizens to call for grand juries.
Judge Robert Fairchild ruled Aug. 18 that the allegations in Davis’ petition weren’t specific enough.