State Sen. Jon Erpenbach Digging into Bait and Switch at DOT for Free Voter ID's.

So it wasn't our imagination? It looks like our trusting Republican politicians who were so concerned about the integrity elections and "voter fraud," are already gaming the system to suppress the vote. Big surprise. Cap Times:

An internal memo from a top Department of Transportation official instructs workers at Division of Motor Vehicles service centers not to tell members of the public that they can obtain voter identification cards free of charge -- unless they know to ask for it.

The memo, recently obtained by The Capital Times, was written by Steve Krieser and sent to all state Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles employees on July 1, the same day employees were to begin issuing photo IDs in accordance with a controversial new Voter Photo ID law adopted earlier in the year.

"While you should certainly help customers who come in asking for a free ID to check the appropriate box, you should refrain from offering the free version to customers who do not ask for it," Krieser writes to employees. Krieser, who was recently promoted to executive assistant to the DOT secretary, instructs staff that customers should "self certify" their eligibility for the free ID. They can do that, he writes, if they meet the documentation requirements; if they are at least 17 years old; if they have checked the correct certification box on the new forms; and, most significantly, if they are "asking for a product that is available for free issuance."

I'm glad Sen. Erpenbach is following up on the DOT's current policy . Here's Jon's letter: 

Department of Transportation: Secretary GottliebIt has been reported in the Capital Times, that in a memo from Steve Krieser, Department of Transportation (DOT) staff has been instructed not to help eligible citizens obtain a free, state issued identification card for purposes of voting. I find this action unacceptable and paramount to a “bait and switch” tactic. Helping people obtain a free ID card to vote should be no different than any other service the Department of Transportation offers as an agent of the people of this state. This is a job that has been assigned to your Department by the Legislature and one we expect you to do without prejudice. Please assure the Legislature that your Department will do the job we have tasked and provided funds to be completed, regardless of the beliefs and partisan affiliations of your senior staff.-JON ERPENBACH

Meanwhile, the GAB is attempting to help groups get out the vote:

The Government Accountability Board has opened a Speakers Bureau and is now accepting requests from groups for staff speakers to get the word out across Wisconsin about the new Voter Photo ID Law.

“Organizations that work with people who may need help getting a photo ID to vote can go to our website and request a speaker,” said Kevin J. Kennedy, Wisconsin’s chief election officer. “The Government Accountability Board does not have the resources to help every individual voter who needs to get a photo ID.  We can, however, provide organizations with the tools and knowledge to get the job done.”

Elections Division Administrator Nathaniel E. Robinson said, “Because a birth certificate is required to obtain a state ID card, the time to get a proper ID for voting purposes is now rather than at the last minute before the 2012 February Primary.”

The Speakers Bureau request form is available on the Board’s website.