TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators refuse to move up the starting date for a proof-of-citizenship requirement for people registering to vote for the first time.

They also won’t give Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s office new power to prosecute election fraud cases.

The Senate’s rejection of those proposals Wednesday by a 23-15 vote was a political defeat for the Republican secretary of state.

It came after Kobach successfully pushed for a law designed to combat election fraud, one he touted as model legislation for other states.

Kobach took office in January. He had hoped the proof-of-citizenship rule would take effect next year instead of 2013. He also wanted his office to have the power to file and prosecute election cases in state courts.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)