Print edition: 
The Eagle editorial board recently fired its second salvo against me and my campaign for Kansas secretary of state ("Kobach's heavy baggage is relevant," June 10 Eagle Editorial).
I have maintained that voter fraud is a well-documented reality in Kansas, and that we must act immediately to protect the integrity of our elections. I support requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls and requiring newly registered voters to prove their citizenship when they register. I will also restructure the prosecution of voter fraud, so that prosecutions actually occur.
The editorial, which also noted my legal work combating illegal immigration, suggested I would "redesign the statewide office around a narrow ideological agenda." That's a rather strange claim. Since when is preventing voter fraud a narrow ideological agenda? Fair elections protect every voter, every party and every ideology equally. More than that, fair elections protect the very fabric of our republic.
Public confidence in the integrity of elections is at an all-time low. In a 2008 poll, 62 percent of American voters thought voter fraud was very common or somewhat common. When voters fear that elections are being stolen through fraudulent activity, it erodes the legitimacy of our government.
The editorial board's claim that voter fraud is not a big problem is incorrect. In February 2008, the Secretary of State's Office reported to state legislators that during 1998-2008, voter fraud was reported in 11 Kansas counties. Some counties, including Sedgwick County, witnessed multiple cases of voter fraud. In Wyandotte County alone, more than 50 cases of voter fraud were reported.
Finally, it was ludicrous for the editorial board to suggest that voter fraud isn't a big problem because there's no financial incentive. Voter fraud is not usually motivated by money; it is motivated by the corrupt desire for power. The organization ACORN, which submitted hundreds of thousands of fraudulent voter-registration cards in the 2008 elections, has been investigated or prosecuted for crimes in 14 states, including Missouri. ACORN was hard at work in Kansas during the 2008 elections. ACORN had three offices in our state, including one in Wichita.
One reason that it's so easy to commit election fraud in Kansas is that the crime is rarely punished. I am aware of only one case that has been prosecuted by the state since 2000.
The time has come to stop voter fraud in Kansas. That's why I am running for the office of secretary of state.
KRIS KOBACH
Piper
