Surrendering "Freedom of Choice" for "Poll Worker Convenience"?

Although it's somewhat older news by now, most people are probably not aware that the rules have changed in Wisconsin regarding "write-in" votes.

According to this article on Isthmus, Wisconsin rules were changed in 2014 to save poll workers as much as 45 minutes on election nights, because they are no longer required to count all the votes. 

On April 2, the day after this year's spring election, Gov. Scott Walker quietly signed a bill lifting the requirement that all write-in votes must be counted.

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted 

To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.

Not only does this new law prevent votes from being counted, but it also prevents votes for "registered" write-in candidates from being cast in the first place. 

According to a memo published by the Wisconsin G.A.B., 

Municipal clerks must provide their inspectors with a list of registered write-in candidates and the offices for which they are running.  This list is not to be posted or advertised in any way.  The list should be present at the polling place, in a folder, so that if a voter directly asks an inspector about write-in candidates, the inspector may refer to the list.  Inspectors may not volunteer write-in candidate information. (emphasis added)

So, how do you even know who you can write-in for an elected position? Well you'll have to ask an inspector at the polling place, assuming that you are even aware that a list of registered write-ins even exists in the first place.

We're told that this new rule is intended to prevent poll workers from having to count votes for Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, but it also relieves them from counting votes for Joe Citizen who doesn't know that he must first "register" with the clerk prior to the election if there is to be any hope that he might be chosen to represent the people.

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf

On April 2, the day after this year's spring election, Gov. Scott Walker quietly signed a bill lifting the requirement that all write-in votes must be counted.
Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf