Secretary of State Kris Kobach's proposal for requiring Kansas voters to show photo identification at the polls has the House and Senate agreeing over different aspects of the fraud bill.
The Senate version still includes Kobach's proposal requiring people who are voting for the first time to registering to vote to have a passport, birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, but the rule would be delayed until 2013, instead of taking effect next year as Kobach had proposed. The House also had approved the proposal. Also, the Senate's version of the bill omits proposals from Kobach to increase penalties for election crimes and to give the power to the secretary of state's office authority to file and prosecute voter fraud cases in state courts. The House's version contains those provisions.
Proponent of the Voter ID Bill Senator Terrie Huntington said the legislation will require the state to provide free non-driver ids and allows people to bring a photo id or documents proving citizenship to election officials after they have gone to the polls or filled out a voter registration form.
Huntington said "it safe guards it, when you have to prove you are who you are when you are voting, it allows the poll workers to see and match the face to the new photo id registration card and it assures that it is a smoother process at the voting booth."
While Fairway Senator Huntington said there is evidence various county clerks, opponent of the bill, Kansas City Senator David Haley, said it doesn't think there is a voting fraud problem.
Haley said "Secretary Kobach knows and it's been proven by many sources Kansas has not had any examples of voter fraud. there have been no documented examples of voter fraud."
Haley believes this bill will target suppressive voters, such as elderly or poor citizens. instead of making voting easier, he feels this bill is a speed bump for voters.
Haley said "voting is a constitutional right and you should not have a badge or centralized number or a photo in order to cast your vote. As long as you are a legal citizen of the United States of America."
Voter Fraud Bill Debate Continues - KSNT.com - News, Weather, Sports - Topeka, Kansas
The Senate version still includes Kobach's proposal requiring people who are voting for the first time to registering to vote to have a passport, birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, but the rule would be delayed until 2013, instead of taking effect next year as Kobach had proposed. The House also had approved the proposal. Also, the Senate's version of the bill omits proposals from Kobach to increase penalties for election crimes and to give the power to the secretary of state's office authority to file and prosecute voter fraud cases in state courts. The House's version contains those provisions.
Proponent of the Voter ID Bill Senator Terrie Huntington said the legislation will require the state to provide free non-driver ids and allows people to bring a photo id or documents proving citizenship to election officials after they have gone to the polls or filled out a voter registration form.
Huntington said "it safe guards it, when you have to prove you are who you are when you are voting, it allows the poll workers to see and match the face to the new photo id registration card and it assures that it is a smoother process at the voting booth."
While Fairway Senator Huntington said there is evidence various county clerks, opponent of the bill, Kansas City Senator David Haley, said it doesn't think there is a voting fraud problem.
Haley said "Secretary Kobach knows and it's been proven by many sources Kansas has not had any examples of voter fraud. there have been no documented examples of voter fraud."
Haley believes this bill will target suppressive voters, such as elderly or poor citizens. instead of making voting easier, he feels this bill is a speed bump for voters.
Haley said "voting is a constitutional right and you should not have a badge or centralized number or a photo in order to cast your vote. As long as you are a legal citizen of the United States of America."
Voter Fraud Bill Debate Continues - KSNT.com - News, Weather, Sports - Topeka, Kansas