America Votes

Judge Permanently Blocks Kansas Proof Of Citizenship Law

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled the state's law violates both the Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act.

Judge Permanently Blocks Kansas Proof Of Citizenship Law
Getty Images
SMS

A federal judge has permanently blocked a Kansas law that makes people provide proof of U.S. citizenship when they register to vote.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled the state's law violates both the Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act.

The Kansas law first went into effect in 2013. It requires anyone who registers to vote in Kansas to provide documentation of their citizenship — like a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers.

The judge's ruling is a significant blow to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the law's biggest supporters.

In addition to striking down the legislation, Robinson said Kobach — who has a law degree — failed to disclose evidence to the law's opponents before trial and ordered him to take six hours of legal education.