TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has taken a step toward allowing the state to enforce its proof-of-citizenship requirement for some new voters.

Late Tuesday, an attorney for Kobach filed a formal answer to a federal lawsuit challenging a 2013 state law requiring new voters to provide papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering.

The lack of a formal response on Tuesday prompted a court clerk to enter a default judgment for the prospective voter suing Kobach.

Previous court rulings have temporarily narrowed the rule so it doesn’t apply to people who use a federal registration form or register at state motor vehicle offices.

It’s not clear whether U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson will accept Kobach’s filing, but attorneys challenging the law’s constitutionality said judges often do.

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal court clerk has entered a default judgment against Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for failing to file a timely response to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law requiring prospective voters to prove they are U.S. citizens.

It remains unclear whether U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson will give Kobach more time to respond. Kobach is facing four separate lawsuits challenging aspects of that law.

If Tuesday’s judgment stands it would entirely strike down the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirement. The lawsuit contends it violates the U.S. Constitution’s protections against depriving a person of life, liberty or property without due process.

It also contends the state law discriminates against citizens born outside of Kansas.

Kobach did not immediately return a message, but his spokeswoman says he would comment.