Roughly 32,000 voters in Washoe County, Nevada, received mail-in ballot return envelopes bearing the word “FALSE” due to a printing error, according to county election officials. The mistake, which affected the initial production batch from the county's ballot printing vendor, was not targeted at any political party, said George Guthrie, a spokesperson for the Registrar of Voters.
Guthrie explained that the envelopes were intended to include a hidden “ID Required” field, with “TRUE” printed for voters who must provide additional identification under state law. For voters not subject to that requirement, no designation was supposed to appear. Instead, the printing error stamped “FALSE” on the envelopes of those voters.
“The inclusion of the word ‘FALSE’ on mail ballot return envelopes resulted from a printing error that affected approximately 32,000 envelopes in the initial production batch prepared by our ballot printing vendor,” Guthrie said in a statement to The Hill. He added that the error was “promptly identified and corrected in subsequent batches” and did not affect voter registration records, identification requirements, the validity of the ballots, or voters’ ability to cast their ballots.
The mishap comes as Nevada emerges as a key battleground in the 2024 election cycle. While President Donald Trump carried the state by roughly three points in 2024, the gubernatorial race remains a toss-up, according to the Cook Political Report, which noted that Republican Governor Joe Lombardo’s prospects looked stronger earlier in the year before the national political environment shifted.
Lombardo, a Republican seeking a second term, faces Democratic challenger State Attorney General Aaron Ford. Recent polls suggest the two are locked in a tight contest, with Lombardo struggling to replicate Trump’s margin. Ford’s campaign has gained momentum following a late-October rally with former Vice President Kamala Harris and a debate appearance that Lombardo skipped.
Election officials in Washoe County are working to reassure voters that the printing mistake will not impact the counting of their ballots. The county’s registrar’s office has emphasized that the error was isolated to the envelope design and did not alter any voter information or ballot validity. Voters who received the misprinted envelopes can still return their ballots as usual.
The Nevada Secretary of State’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Local election administrators have been on high alert for any irregularities that could fuel distrust in the electoral process, especially in a state where election denialism has been a recurring theme in recent cycles.
This is not the first time a printing error has caused confusion in a high-stakes election. Earlier this year, similar issues in other states prompted calls for stricter quality control measures. In Nevada, the focus now shifts to ensuring that all ballots—including those with the erroneous “FALSE” label—are processed accurately and that voters are confident their voices are heard.
As Election Day approaches, both campaigns are closely watching voter turnout and mail-in ballot returns. The gubernatorial race is seen as a bellwether for the state’s political trajectory, with split-ticket voters potentially playing a decisive role in the outcome. Ford’s campaign has sought to tie Lombardo to the national Republican brand, while Lombardo has emphasized his independent streak and focus on local issues.
Election officials are urging voters to review their ballots and contact the registrar’s office if they have any questions about the printing error. They stress that the mistake does not affect the integrity of the election and that all valid ballots will be counted.
