With dismal voter turnout, a primary plagued by technical issues and a fleet of machines that need to be replaced, all eyes are on the D.C. Board of Elections as the city prepares for the November 4th election. Eyes that may currently be rolling.

The organization began mailing out voter guides this week with an odd sight on the cover: An upside down D.C. flag. Could this, like the misspelled “Libertarian” on old voter registration forms, be an honest mistake?

Nope, according to DCBOE’s spokesperson, who told WAMU and Washingtonian that the error is part of a game for voters on the website. The guide is not yet online.

Via DCBOEE website.

Update: Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who chairs the Committee on Government Operations, said in a statement, “I am sorely disappointed by the mistakes printed in the 2014 General Election Voter’s Guide.”

This is yet another example of the type of glaring mistakes that continues to occur. This mistake, in addition to the concerns raised during Committee oversight hearings, undermines the public’s confidence in the Board’s ability to administer elections. The Executive Director must be held accountable.

On September 25, 2014, I requested that the Office of the DC Auditor conduct a comprehensive audit of the Board of Elections. I look forward to receiving the Auditor’s recommendations.

Second update: The guide is now online with this note: “What is incorrect about the front of this guide? Hint: It’s not the content.

Answer: The flag is upside down.”

Filed Under: dc board of elections, voter guide,