Hasta La Gadget!

The Republican-controlled Kansas state Senate passed legislation Thursday evening that would give Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) power to investigate and prosecute election fraud cases. The legislation will also prohibit Kobach from having his own political action committee to campaign for political allies in the state.

Kobach, the state’s chief election officer, has long sought prosecutorial power as part of his effort to end what he believes is a serious problem of voter fraud in the state. He has also been active with his political action committee, offering support to choice politicians and in one case defeating a vocal legislative critic.

Kobach told the Associated Press that he is pleased that the senators support his quest to prosecute election fraud, something he thinks local prosecutors have not gone after aggressively enough. Kobach added that he believes the PAC ban violates his freedom of speech. Kobach has argued that his PAC is separate from his governmental role. He does not count ballots, he has noted, but rather leaves that function to county officials — many of whom are appointed by Kobach.

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