kjct8.com
The Associated Press
UPDATED: 11:15 pm MDT March 17, 2012

DENVER, Colo. -- Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler has asked the Department of Homeland Security to provide his office with the citizenship status of about 4,500 registered voters.

The Denver Post reports (Secretary of State Gessler asks Homeland Security to ID noncitizens on Colorado voter rolls - The Denver Post ) the 4,500 people provided a noncitizen document, such as a green card, when they applied for a driver's license and then registered to vote.

Gessler's said in a letter last week to Homeland Security Janet Napolitano that he's trying to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting.

Colorado Common Cause executive director Elena Nunez says Gessler's actions could discourage people from voting. But Gessler's spokesman Rich Coolidge says Gessler is obligated to enforce Colorado election law.

It is a felony for non-U.S. citizens to register to vote or to cast a ballot.

Colo. Official Seeking Info on People's Citizenship Status - Local News Story - KJCT Grand Junction