Some voters say they can literally see democracy through two tiny holes. In Sacramento County’s special election on Proposition 50, small perforations on mail-in ballot envelopes have sparked outsized concerns.
The issue emerged when voters noticed that if a ballot is folded a certain way, a marked choice might faintly align with the envelope’s perforations. That possibility alone raised alarms about ballot secrecy.
Skeptical residents worry the holes could allow someone to peek at votes, sort ballots, or selectively target them before counting. The fears are amplified by the high stakes of Proposition 50, which affects redistricting power.
With political tensions already high and Governor Gavin Newsom’s agenda tied to the outcome, even a theoretical vulnerability has fueled suspicion and online debate.
Election officials insist the concern is misplaced. They say the envelope design is long-standing, used statewide, and carefully vetted through established election procedures.
According to officials, the holes serve practical purposes: confirming envelopes are empty and helping visually impaired voters locate the signature line. Ballots are also printed with a blank side to protect secrecy.
When ballots are folded as instructed, officials say no vote should be visible through the perforations. They emphasize there is no evidence of tampering or compromised ballots.
Still, experts note that perception matters as much as process. In an era of fragile trust, even small design details can become symbols of larger doubts about transparency and confidence in elections.