Gov. Sam Brownback signs Kansas bill to limit political-party switching

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback on Tuesday signed legislation pushed by fellow Republicans making it harder for voters to switch parties before primary elections.

The bill bars voters who register with one party from switching their affiliation from June 1 in an election year until after results from August party primaries are certified. June 1 is the candidate filing deadline in Kansas.

Current law allows voters to change their registration up to two weeks before a primary.

Republicans contend the bill will protect the integrity of party contests by keeping Democrats or members of other parties from changing their registration solely to influence GOP contests.

Democrats say the bill restricts the right of voters to participate in elections as they choose.

This story was originally published March 25, 2014 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Gov. Sam Brownback signs Kansas bill to limit political-party switching."