Topeka ? The Kansas House is preparing to debate Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s bill to require voters to show photo identification at the polls.

The measure on the House’s calendar for Thursday contains the Republican secretary of state’s proposed Secure and Fair Elections Act.

He says it will give Kansas the toughest laws in the nation against election fraud. Critics contend the measure will suppress turnout, something Kobach denies.

Besides the photo ID requirement, the bill would require people who register to vote for the first time in the state to provide proof they are citizens.

It also increases the penalties for election crimes and gives the secretary of state’s office the authority to file and prosecute election fraud cases.