This tale of wasted paper comes from the state best known for turning its old growth forests into mail ballots:

The envelope for Salem's special annexation ballot contains an error that could invalidate the election, city officials said Wednesday.

More than 60,000 Marion County voters received the ballot in an envelope declaring that it "Contains Vote On Proposed Tax Increase," Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess said.

There's no such tax increase on the ballot. Instead, voters are asked to rule on whether to annex 35 properties into Salem.

Salem City Manager Bob Wells said that the mistake could ruin the special election, which takes place through Sept. 19. Voters might choose to shoot down the annexations in the mistaken belief that bringing in the properties will raise their taxes.

"It's a major mistake, a major error, and totally misrepresents what this election is about," Wells said.