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Kansas, Arizona Seek Order On Voter Citizenship Laws

Kansas and Arizona are asking a court to force the Federal Election Assistance Commission to quickly modify voter registration forms so the states can fully enforce new proof-of-citizenship laws. The states want the commission to change the national mail-in voter registration form to include specific proof-of-citizenship instructions for Kansas and Arizona residents.

The two states filed a request Wednesday for a preliminary injunction in their lawsuit against the EAC.

They want a hearing by or shortly after November 12.

State officials say they're being forced to create separate registration systems for federal and other elections.

The U.S. Justice Department is representing the commission and didn't immediately comment.

The Kansas proof-of-citizenship requirement took effect in January.

If people don't provide a birth certificate, passport or other citizenship papers when they register, their applications are accepted, but their registrations remain on hold.

As of this week, more than 18,100 prospective voters' registrations were on hold. The state has about 1.7 million registered voters.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is the architect of the law. Kobach says it blocks non-citizens from voting.