As Senator, Steineger voted for Repressive Voter ID Law

In 2007 Kansas Republicans launched a campaign to introduce a modern form of poll taxes to Kansas. This effort was aided by only one member of the Senate Democratic caucus, Chris Steineger.

Under the deceptive guise of “election security” the GOP and Chris Steineger sought to require a driver’s license with current address from all voters.

This naked political proposal imposes an unnecessary obstacle to likely Democratic voters. Driver’s license requirements disproportionately affect four traditionally Democratic constituencies: the disabled and the elderly, who often don’t drive and don’t have licenses; the poor, who might not own a car or have a license; and mobile populations, especially the young, who often don't have a current address on their driver’s license.

Fundamentally, Republicans sense an opportunity to gain an advantage by making it harder to vote in elections. Why is Senator Steineger helping them do so?

Through his words and actions Chris Steineger has made it clear that he believes it should be harder to vote in Kansas. The question for Democrats is simple: do Democrats believe elections should be more or less accessible?

Text of SB 168

The Roll Call vote