#Kansas Congressman Steve Watkins charged with voter fraud

US Rep. Steve Watkins, of Kansas, was charged Tuesday night with illegal voting for allegedly listing a UPS store as his residence in advance of a local election, officials said.

Watkins is accused by Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay of entering the false postal box address of the Topeka store on a voter registration form he filled out in late August 2019.

The Republican congressman then cast a ballot the following November in the Topeka City Council race with the UPS box listed as his residential address, the DA said.

Kagay, also a Republican, announced the charges Tuesday night shortly before a televised debate between Watkins and two Republican challengers in the Aug. 14 Republican primary.

Watkins denied any wrongdoing and called the charges “hyper-partisan” because of their timing.

After the November election the lawmaker changed his voter registration form, listing an apartment as his address, officials said.

The illegal voting accusation is not the first time Watkins has been in hot water.

While running for his current seat, he was accused by peers of lying about or fabricating his past accomplishments that were listed on his campaign website.

With Post wires