Topeka activist Sonny Scroggins, right, formally launched an effort Wednesday to recall Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. He said Kobach has been derelict

Topeka ? A Topeka activist formally launched an effort Wednesday to recall Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, but state law creates huge hurdles to forcing an election.

Sonny Scroggins contends Kobach has been “derelict in his duties,” partly because of Kobach’s work on immigration issues outside the state. Scroggins submitted a $100 application fee and a copy of his proposed recall petition to the office of Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, who would determine the validity of a recall petition.

But the application for a recall petition won’t be considered valid unless supporters collect signatures from almost 83,000 registered voters — and doing so would give them only the right to try to gather the nearly 332,000 signatures required within 90 days to force an election. Scroggins acknowledged he’s hoping Kobach’s opponents across the state will see his proposed recall as a “clarion call” to gather signatures.

“I’m trying to awaken the sleeping giant,” he said.

Kobach has said repeatedly that he works full-time as secretary of state and handles immigration work in off hours. A former law professor, he’s advised officials in other states about cracking down on illegal immigration and helped draft tough laws in Alabama and Arizona.

He noted Wednesday that he faced criticism over such work — and other issues raised by Scroggins — during the 2010 race for secretary of state.

“Evidently, Mr. Scroggins has inside information that a majority of Kansans have changed their minds,” Kobach said.