The fate of a proposal to require first-time Kansas voters to prove their citizenship when they register beginning June 15 is tied to a state computer project.

The proof-of-citizenship rule is currently scheduled to take effect in January 2013. But Secretary of State Kris Kobach wants to have the requirement in place in time for this year’s presidential election.

House Elections Committee Chairman Scott Schwab said Monday that legislators first want to be sure the state is ready to scan and store electronic copies of documents such as birth certificates and passports. A $40 million computer project in the agency that issues driver’s licenses is supposed to make that possible.