Kris Kobach took plenty of time to lecture Kansans and the nation about massive voter fraud. He spent 2018 campaigning on the issue — with people who ended up committing voter fraud, but, as far as his record of finding actual voter fraud.… well, it never turned out his way.
Now, Kobach’s attempt to forge a multi-state database that would cut off voters kicks the bucket. The program, which was terminated after 2017 due to security liabilities, was run out of Kansas to power other states seeking voter suppression. Now, Kobach, former secretary of state and failed candidate for Governor, finds the program he touted as a savior for democracy dead.
From The Washington Post:
Kansas has agreed not to resume operating Crosscheck until all security upgrades recommended by the Department of Homeland Security have been implemented and industry standard encryption practices are adopted. It also requires participating states to agree to a penalty of expulsion from the program for any negligent, reckless or intentional disclosure of information.
The ACLU said that the settlement also includes an “acknowledgement of error” statement from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s office: “The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office acknowledges your personal information was improperly disclosed through the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program. We recognize this led to an error in the use and handling of your information. Our office has adopted policies and procedures to ensure your voter information will be protected in the future.”
The program, which by Secretary of State estimates could take millions of dollars to repair and restart, is unlikely to receive that kind of funding for an adventure in software creation and support from multiple wings of the statehouse. Democratic elected, as well as the Governor, are unlikely to throw unlimited budgets at a so-far unsuccessful, and likely the subject of continued litigation program.