This article highlights the consequences of Kansas’ 2011 law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, which led to the disenfranchisement of over 31,000 eligible voters, including many U.S. citizens who couldn’t provide the necessary documentation.
Despite claims of preventing illegal voting by noncitizens, the law was ultimately declared unconstitutional in 2018 due to the lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud and the burden it placed on citizens.
The article underscores the balance between addressing concerns about illegal voting and ensuring that eligible citizens are not unjustly excluded from the voting process.
Kansas’ experience serves as a cautionary tale for other states considering similar laws, with many Republican-led states pursuing proof-of-citizenship requirements despite Kansas’ failure.
Voting rights advocates argue that such laws would disproportionately harm marginalized groups, particularly young, unaffiliated, and low-income voters, many of whom lack easy access to required documentation.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and others, including former Secretary of State Kris Kobach, continue to defend the need for proof-of-citizenship laws, despite the setbacks in Kansas. However, voting rights advocates remain vocal in their opposition, warning that these laws could trigger a wave of legal challenges.