Kansas Legislature Changes Voter Registration

(AP) – The Kansas Senate has approved a proposal from the state Republican Party to make it harder for voters to switch parties before primary elections.

The chamber’s 27-12 vote sends the bill to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. The House approved the measure last year.

The bill prohibits voters affiliated with a political party from switching their registration between the June 1 candidate filing deadline until after results from the August primary are certified. Current law allows switching up to two weeks before the primary.

Republicans said the change would protect the integrity of party contests. They said party switching allows manipulation of elections.

Democrats said the bill would restrict voting rights and suggested conservative GOP legislators are trying to protect themselves.

Brownback hasn’t said whether he’ll sign the bill.