/ Modified aug 21, 2013 4:45 p.m.

AZ, KS Officials Sue Elections Assistance Commission

Lawsuit would force agency to modify federal voter registration forms to require documents proving US citizenship.

Kansas and Arizona officials have filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to force a federal elections agency to change its voter registration forms to compel proof of citizenship.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Topeka and seeks to force the Elections Assistance Commission to modify federal voter registration forms to require documents proving citizenship. Currently the forms only require an applicant to make an oath affirming citizenship.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett have been active in seeking to tighten voter registration laws, including passage of laws that require applicants to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

In July, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne threatened to sue the elections commission if they didn't allow the proof of citizenship requirement to go through by Aug. 19.

The changes sought in the lawsuit would only apply to Kansas and Arizona in their efforts to establish voter qualifications.

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