Kansas Senate passes election ID bill over claims of 'poll tax'

[Doondoo]

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Senators approved a bill late Thursday that would require all first-time voters to show photo identification to vote and proof of citizenship to register to vote.

However, Democrats said the bill amounted to a "poll tax" because residents would be required to produce a copy of their birth certificate, passport or proof of citizenship to register. A birth certificate costs $12 in Kansas, while a passport is $97.

"This is the 21st century version of the poll tax," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka. "I frankly don't know what problem we're trying to fix."

The Senate's 28-12 vote sends the bill to the House.



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[asjr]

1. Well, I'm glad I'm not in Kansas anymore.