Supporters of a bill that would require voters to show a photo ID at the polls lined up today (MON) before the House Elections Committee. The legislation would also require first-time voters to prove their citizenship when they register to vote. Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, the bill’s author, has been pushing the legislation as a way to prevent voter fraud. Kobach says around 220 incidents of possible voter fraud have been reported since 1997. He told lawmakers that because voter fraud is so hard to track, he believes the actual number is higher.
Opponents of the bill believe the changes would make it too difficult to register and vote in Kansas. The House Elections Committee will hear from opponents of the bill on Wednesday.