Kansas House panel delays action on Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s election fraud bill until Feb. 21

? A Kansas House committee is delaying action on Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s proposals for attacking potential election fraud.

The Elections Committee on Friday postponed action on Kobach’sSecure and Fair Elections Act until Feb. 21 to allow more time for staff to prepare amendments.

Kobach is a Republican, and members of the committee’s GOP majority already have expressed support for his proposal to require voters to show photo identification at the polls.

The bill also would require people who register to vote for the first time in Kansas to provide proof that they’re citizens. It increases the penalties for election crimes and allows the secretary of state to prosecute election fraud cases.

Critics say Kobach’s proposals will suppress voter turnout, which he disputes.