Drive to recall Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach begins

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 his 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.

But the application 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 said he’s hoping Kobach’s opponents across the state will see his proposed recall as a “clarion call” to gather signatures.

Kobach has said repeatedly that he works full-time as secretary of state and handles immigration work in off hours.