Official: In Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, voters need citizenship proof

The action by the new executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is being roundly criticized by voting rights activists, who say the "secretive move" will create additional barriers for potential voters, and one of the agency's own commissioners, who says it contradicts policy and precedent.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

WICHITA, Kan. — A federal elections official has decided — without public notice or review from his agency's commissioners — that residents of Alabama, Kansas and Georgia can no longer register to vote using a federal form without providing proof of U.S. citizenship.

The action by the new executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is being roundly criticized by voting rights activists, who say the "secretive move" will create additional barriershas provided satisfactory evidence of United States citizenship." The statement said Merrill was "very excited and most enthusiastic" about the change.

"The Office of the Secretary of State will begin working towards implementation now that we have received permission from the Election Assistance Commission, as well as conducting outreach campaigns to let the public know when this will go into effect," the statement said.

Newby took over in November and came from Kansas, whose Republican secretary of state, Kris Kobach, has been a staunch advocate for such citizenship requirements and has fought court battles over them. Kobach also had appointed Newby to be a county elections commissioner.

Newby defended his decision as a routine administrative action, insisting it was within his authority and that he didn't look at the decision to