A former legislative candidate is asking the Kansas Supreme Court to force a grand jury investigation of Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Steven X. Davis, a Lawrence Democrat, said Tuesday that he has asked the state’s highest court to require that the Douglas County District Court summon a grand jury. Davis said in a statement that the jury needs to investigate Kobach because of rumors that his office intentionally suppressed voter registration. Davis does say that his evidence is slim. By law, people in Kansas can call for a grand jury investigation by gathering a specific number of signatures. Six states, including Kansas, let citizens petition for a grand jury. Davis said he successfully gathered the signatures and submitted them in late July.
A Douglas County judge dismissed the petition earlier this month. In the dismissal, chief judge Robert Fairchild said there weren’t enough facts for the petition to move forward.
Davis, 27, is a freelance copy editor who recently lost the House District 44 Democratic primary against longtime incumbent Barbara Ballard.
In a phone interview, he said there was no way for him to get the kind of facts that could bring a criminal charge against Kobach. That, Davis said, would be up to the courts.
Full Article: Kansas Supreme Court asked to order grand jury on Kobach | The Wichita Eagle.