ACLU Seeks to Return Voter Lawsuit to Kan. Court

The American Civil Liberties Union wants a federal judge to send a lawsuit over Kansas' enforcement of its proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters back to state court.

In a motion filed Thursday, the ACLU said the lawsuit raises questions only about whether policies pursued by Secretary of State Kris Kobach violate the state constitution, leaving no federal court jurisdiction.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit last year in Shawnee County District Court for two voters and the gay-rights group Equality Kansas. They want to block Kobach from imposing different election rules based on whether voters register with state or national forms. The national form doesn't require proof of citizenship.

Kobach contends the case hinges on the interpretation of federal laws, and he had it moved to federal court.