Dechert Helps Secure Federal Appeals Court Victory in Kansas Voting Lawsuit

A federal appeals court today ruled a Kansas voting law crafted by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is unconstitutional and violates the National Voter Registration Act, commonly referred to as the “motor-voter law.”

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Kansas, and Dechert LLP challenged the law on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Kansas and individual Kansans.

As described in the ACLU’s press release, the law illegally mandated documentary proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or passport) to register to vote, and blocked more than 30,000 Kansans from registering to vote. A federal trial court struck down the law citing violations of the National Voter Registration Act and the U.S. Constitution, prompting the state’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. For more information, please see the ACLU’s press release here.

Dechert litigation partner Neil Steiner commented, “We are thrilled the 10th circuit unanimously affirmed the well-reasoned opinion of the district court, which ensures tens of thousands of eligible Kansas citizens are properly registered and able to vote. We remain committed to ensuring that all eligible citizens are able to exercise the fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy.”

In addition to Mr. Steiner, the Dechert pro bono team on this matter includes partners Angela Liu and Rebecca Waldman, and associates Tharuni Jayaraman, Mary Kim and Margaret Mortimer. 

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