6/8/2020 at 5:27 p.m.: DCist/WAMU is retracting a story that reported voters in the District would be asked not to wear clothing that said “Black lives matter” within 50 feet of polling places this November.

A resident told DCist/WAMU that she attended a recent poll worker training and was instructed by a D.C. Board of Elections staff member to ask voters to remove articles of clothing, including masks, that had “political” messages. She said the trainer used two examples: Black lives matter and pro and anti-abortion materials.

DCist/WAMU sought comment from Alice Miller, the director of the D.C. Board of Elections, and confirmed that information in a phone call.

But after publication of the story, Miller said that she had only confirmed that poll workers could not wear clothing or masks with messaging of any kind (she says that includes the words “Black lives matter.”) The only restriction for voters is a ban on campaign-related clothing or materials, according to Miller.

We believe the reporter asked the question about voters directly and fairly, but acknowledge that it appears to have been misunderstood. The result was an incorrect story.

We regret the error, especially given how critical accurate information is in this election cycle and the role we play in conveying it.