This
article bothered me because the signs have been up since October 12, but it doesn't come across as a conspiracy. It just comes across as a very incompetent government and that's sometimes scarier.
You can find the article , but if you don't have a subscription the article is pasted below.
What isn't being mentioned is what George Will writes about. We hear about the government's incompetence. We hear about what Republicans and Democrats are doing, but what about the individual voter's responsiblity to own their vote, be informed and seek out the truth themselves before the fact?
'Too late to register' signs being replaced, clarified
Conrad Defiebre, Star Tribune
October 23, 2004
State officials moved Friday to replace notices at more than 200 driver's license examining stations and vehicle tab agencies throughout Minnesota that they said could discourage people from voting.
"It is too late to register for the November 2, 2004, General Election," the notices say under the headline "Important Voter Registration Information."
The notices apparently have been posted since an Oct. 12 deadline for "motor voter" registration -- automatically signing up to vote along with an application for a driver's license or state identification card. But prospective voters still can register at the offices of county auditors or the secretary of state or at the polls on Nov. 2.
"We're getting it changed," state Division of Driver and Vehicle Services spokeswoman Susan Lasley said. "It kind of implies the wrong thing." She said she did not know how the mistake was made or by whom.
A new version of the notice specifies that "It is too late to register to vote on your DL or ID card application."
Both notices add: "If you apply for your DL or ID card today, your name will not appear on this year's voter roster," although that does not preclude registering by other means.
The notices also refer prospective voters to the secretary of state's office. Kent Kaiser, spokesman for Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, said she did not issue either of the notices. But Pat McCormack, director of driver and vehicle services, said the information came from Kiffmeyer's office.
"Some people were misreading it," McCormack said. "If they ask us about it, we tell them to check with their county auditor or the secretary of state."
Conrad deFiebre is at cdefiebre@startribune.com.