GOP pushes bill to limit party switching before Kansas primary elections

The Kansas Republican Party wants to make it more difficult for voters to switch parties before primary elections.

The party on Wednesday pushed a bill that would prevent registered voters from changing their party affiliations from June 1 through Sept. 1. Currently, voters can change their party affiliation up to 21 days before the August primaries. Unaffiliated voters can pick a party at any time.

Party executive director Clay Barker says voters are being urged to switch parties to vote for inferior candidates, who would then face stiffer competition in the general elections.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach also supports the bill.

The Mainstream Coalition, a non-partisan advocacy group, argues the bill would restrict residents from voting with the party of their choice.

This story was originally published March 6, 2014 at 7:38 AM with the headline "GOP pushes bill to limit party switching before Kansas primary elections."