A special election for the redistricting proposition in the 50th district, also known as Prop 50 or Measure 50, in California is approaching. However, many voters who have received mail-in ballots have taken to social media to complain that the design of the ballot envelope intentionally exposes the voting outcome. How should voters respond to this situation?
The election on November 4 is an emergency special election focused on the 50th district redistricting proposition. The proposition, endorsed by Governor Newsom and other Democratic lawmakers in the state, aims to replace the district maps determined by an independent commission with district maps redrawn by Democrats, benefiting Democratic candidates.
Since California started mailing out ballots, some voters have posted videos on social media claiming that if they vote “No on Prop 50” on the mail-in ballot and place it in the official return envelope, the small hole on the envelope will expose the voter’s choice. However, if they vote “Yes,” it won’t be exposed.
The voters who posted the videos believe that this is the Democrats’ way of “manipulating the election, as they can easily identify voters’ choices through the envelope and discard ballots cast against the proposition.”
Secretary of State Weber refuted these claims in a statement on Monday, “There is a lot of misinformation circulating regarding the ballot envelopes for the statewide special election on November 4, and I hope to clarify the facts.”
“The design of the small hole on the ballot envelope is meant to assist visually impaired voters in locating the signature position, providing an accessible feature to enhance voting accessibility for this group of voters,” she emphasized. The Secretary of State’s office is not responsible for printing ballot envelopes, nor does it conduct reviews or approvals.
Weber also pointed out that voters can choose different ways to insert the ballot into the return envelope. If voters have any concerns, they can adjust how they place the ballot to conceal any markings. This envelope design has been in place for over a decade.
Despite various controversies surrounding California’s electoral system, as the election day approaches, Roxanne Hoge, the Los Angeles County Republican Party Chairwoman, urges voters to actively participate in voting and not abstain due to concerns about the envelope.
Hoge said, “Please do not panic; in fact, simply flipping the ballot can solve this (envelope design) issue. What we urgently need now are ‘No’ votes from every voter. Please vote ‘No’ on Proposition 50 now.”
Some voters have shared tips online, suggesting that if they are worried about their ballot being exposed, they can fold it with the blank side facing out before putting it into the envelope.
The Secretary of State’s website stated that all active registered voters in California will receive mail-in ballots for this special election. Voters who choose to vote by mail must send their ballots to the election office by the election day on November 4 or earlier (postmarked by that date) and ensure they arrive by November 12.
Voters who prefer not to use mail-in ballots can wait for all polling stations to open on October 25 and cast their votes in person.
Governor Newsom and the majority of Democratic state legislators support Proposition 50. Newsom’s ballot measure committee, teachers’ unions, other influential union organizations, and out-of-state groups have donated over 60 million dollars, with a total donation exceeding 95.95 million dollars.
However, many criticize that Proposition 50 will distort the congressional representation and undermine fair elections in the coming years.
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently urged voters to vote “No” on Proposition 50 at an event. He stated that the redistricting agenda would erode democratic principles, allowing politicians to “strip people of their rights.”
Sheriffs from 37 out of the 58 counties in California have expressed opposition to Proposition 50. They argue that the proposition eliminates the independent “California Citizens Redistricting Commission” and allows partisan interest to shape the districts. With California facing a budget deficit, it would cost taxpayers approximately 282 million dollars for a special election, while the Proposition 36, which was passed by California voters in 2024 with 68.4% support, aimed at strengthening penalties for theft, robbery, drug offenders, and enforcing mandatory drug rehabilitation lacks funding. ◇