(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers July 18, 2016)
Yes, there was griping and angst last week when Secretary of State Kris Kobach, from hundreds of miles away, managed to pull at least 17,000 Kansans’ votes off state primary election—and maybe even general election—ballots.
The issue: State law requiring proof of citizenship to vote in Kansas elections. That’s a birth certificate or passport, or something similar to make sure you are a genuine citizen if you’re going to vote for a state representative or mayor or water district board member.
Sounds logical, of course. Probably, ought to be citizens who are electing government leaders, not foreigners or even just tourists.
A major source of those questionable registrations—of folks who want to register to vote but don’t automatically pass the proof of citizenship requirement—is registering to vote by checking a box on the forms used to get new driver’s licenses. It’s called “motor voter” registration, and the idea is that when you go in to get a driver’s license, you can conveniently register to vote. A two-fer.