Typos happen. Each day we make tons (although we try to correct them as soon as we notice them).

Even especially embarrassing typos are made by the best of us. As Howard Bashman has noted, published opinions by the Second and Third Circuits have featured a highly unfortunate typo.

But usually typographical errors aren't quite so costly:

A typographical error on Ottawa County's Nov. 7 election ballot will cost $40,000 to reprint 170,000 ballots.

The error — a missing "L" in the word public — was identified Oct. 3, said Ottawa County Clerk Daniel Krueger. It was in the text of Proposal 06-02 regarding a proposed state constitutional to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, gender and other items.

"My first thought was, 'Oh crap,'" Krueger said.

Oh crap, indeed.

Might it be possible to let the typo slide? Maybe not. Here's the text of the proposal in question:

A proposal to amend the State Constitution to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for pubic [sic] employment, education or contracting purposes.

"Pubic" employment? Let's not go there.

("Pubic" would also modify "education" and "contracting purposes." Not good.)

Error on November ballot costs county $40,000 [Grand Haven Tribune via How Appealing]
Nude Prosecutors Take Note [How Appealing]
County to Pay $40,000 To Fix Typo on Election Ballot [Obscure Store]