Romney campaign falsely training Wisc. poll watchers that IDs 'must include photo'

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign has been incorrectly training their election observers that photo IDs are required to vote in Wisconsin even though multiple courts have struck down the requirement, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The liberal website Think Progress obtained "Volunteer Observer Training" documents created by the Romney campaign that reportedly contain "downright false" and misleading information.

The most blatant falsehood occurs on page 16 of the document, which claims that the "ONLY acceptable forms of proof of residency" include an employer identification card "bearing a photo of the cardholder" and a student ID that "must include a photo." Seven other forms of ID listed by the campaign did not include the photo requirement.

In fact, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board website clearly states that a photo ID is "not required" to register to vote.

"Two separate judges, on March 6 and March 12, 2012, have issued injunctions preventing the Government Accountability Board from enforcing photo ID requirements in 2011 Act 23," the website says. "The Wisconsin Department of Justice has appealed those injunctions. Until they are resolved, no photo ID is required to receive a ballot."

Other apparent misinformation in the training documents included claims that any “person [who] has been convicted of treason, a felony, or bribery” isn’t eligible to vote, inaccurate requirements for disabled voters and an incorrect list of the acceptable forms of proof of residency.

"This packet could cause major problems if Republican observers across the state try to enforce such wrong and misleading information on Election Day," Think Progress' Scott Keyes pointed out. "Even if they simply slow the voting process down, this could discourage voters waiting in line and drive drown turnout."

Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul acknowledged a request for comment from Raw Story but did not respond by the time of publication. We will post an update to this report if the campaign chooses respond.

Romney Volunteer Observer Training

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