DENVER — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach contends massive voter confusion will occur if an appeals court doesn’t block a lower court’s order to register thousands of state residents for November’s presidential election.
Kobach made the prediction in a document he filed with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The dispute centers on residents who submit voter registration forms at Division of Motor Vehicles offices and don’t provide proof of citizenship. A 2011 state law requires newly registering voters to provide proof of citizenship.
A preliminary injunction issued May 17 by U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson prohibits election officials from enforcing the proof of citizenship requirement for residents who register at DMV offices.
Robinson’s order will take effect Tuesday if the Denver-based appeals court doesn’t block it by issuing a stay. Kobach requested a stay in the document he filed May 28.
Attorneys for the League of Women Voters and American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday opposed Kobach’s request.
The dispute involves whether about 18,000 residents will be allowed to vote, court filings state.
Early voting for the primary election begins July 13.
