Federal Court Sets Trial Date in ACLU’s Challenge to Kris Kobach’s Anti-Voter Efforts
NEW YORK — A federal court ruled that trial is slated to begin on March 6 in the American Civil Liberties Union’s challenge to voting obstacles in Kansas. The case is Fish v. Kobach.
The ACLU is representing Kansans who tried to register to vote via the state Division of Vehicles but were illegally forced to provide additional documentation of U.S. citizenship, in violation of the National Voter Registration Act.
More than 17,000 people were impeded from registering to vote in what a federal district judge has called “a confusing and inconsistently-enforced maze.” In 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that the Kansas law had caused the “mass denial of a fundamental constitutional right” and blocked the law while the case is litigated. The court order blocking the Kansas law remains in effect pending the outcome of the trial this spring.
Dale Ho, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, said:
“Kris Kobach has repeatedly tried to disenfranchise Kansans, and the courts have repeatedly blocked his attempts. We look forward to showing yet again how Kobach’s actions undermine voters and are illegal.”
The court’s ruling today also prohibits Kobach from offering testimony from Hans von Spakovsky — a member of President Trump’s so-called Commission on Election Integrity — on certain subjects. Kobach sought to have von Spakovsky testify about whether the Kansas law places burdens on voters, but the court held that “It is clear that von Spakovsky is not qualified to testify as an expert” about data on that topic.
NEW YORK — A federal court ruled that trial is slated to begin on March 6 in the American Civil Liberties Union’s challenge to voting obstacles in Kansas. The case is Fish v. Kobach.
The ACLU is representing Kansans who tried to register to vote via the state Division of Vehicles but were illegally forced to provide additional documentation of U.S. citizenship, in violation of the National Voter Registration Act.
More than 17,000 people were impeded from registering to vote in what a federal district judge has called “a confusing and inconsistently-enforced maze.” In 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that the Kansas law had caused the “mass denial of a fundamental constitutional right” and blocked the law while the case is litigated. The court order blocking the Kansas law remains in effect pending the outcome of the trial this spring.
Dale Ho, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, said:
“Kris Kobach has repeatedly tried to disenfranchise Kansans, and the courts have repeatedly blocked his attempts. We look forward to showing yet again how Kobach’s actions undermine voters and are illegal.”
The court’s ruling today also prohibits Kobach from offering testimony from Hans von Spakovsky — a member of President Trump’s so-called Commission on Election Integrity — on certain subjects. Kobach sought to have von Spakovsky testify about whether the Kansas law places burdens on voters, but the court held that “It is clear that von Spakovsky is not qualified to testify as an expert” about data on that topic.
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in Voting Rights
-
Voting and Immigrants’ Rights Advocates Sue Over New Florida Law That Targets Voter Registration, Civic Engagement, and Political Speech
-
Honoring the Past, Paving the Future: Enhancing Voter Registration
-
Here's How Georgia's New Voting Law Harms Voters With Disabilities
-
Voting and Civil Rights Groups Challenge Inequity in Access to Voting Under Georgia Law
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About Voting Rights
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest. The ACLU works to protect and expand Americansʼ freedom to vote.