Poking Holes In California’s Prop 50: See-Through Envelopes And Lack Of Voter Privacy

For years, concerns about the lack of voting integrity in California have simmered beneath the surface — concerns rooted foremost in the absence of a requirement for valid identification at the polls. This has been a central issue for Republicans, who have fought for decades to implement common-sense verification measures, yet repeatedly found their efforts stymied by Democrats resistant to change. Now, with the approach of the November 4 election, these concerns are once again thrust into the spotlight thanks to the controversial California Proposition 50, a ballot measure that stands alone and, many argue, wastes both public time and money.

At the heart of this issue is the gerrymandering that has come to define California politics. Despite making up roughly 25% of the state’s registered voters, Republicans account for just 17% of California’s congressional delegation. Democrats, meanwhile, hold an overwhelming 83% of the state’s 52 available House seats. Such disproportions raise pressing questions about the fairness and responsiveness of the democratic process within the state.

To better understand the stakes of this upcoming vote, I spoke with Deborah Pauly, an attorney with the Lex Rex Institute in Long Beach — a constitutional advocacy group engaged in public interest litigation to restore electoral integrity. According to Pauly, Proposition 50 is not just a technical adjustment or benign update to election law. She describes it as a retaliatory measure, devised in Sacramento, aimed at achieving mid-decade partisan redistricting that further consolidates Democratic power at the expense of meaningful representation and electoral competitiveness.

But as troubling as the redistricting implications may be, Pauly points to an even larger and more urgent issue: the fundamental security, or lack thereof, in California’s voting process, especially with respect to mail-in ballots. She urges all voters to be extremely cautious about using their mail-in ballots to register votes in this election.

Why is secure voting so critical? Because the legitimacy and stability of our democratic process depend on it. A core American principle is that every vote must be counted as cast and must remain private and protected. When voters are confident their ballots are secure, the civic fabric holds firm — even amidst the most heated or contentious races. Strip away that confidence, and the door swings open to polarization, conspiracy, and ultimately, the unraveling of public trust in democratic outcomes.

Unfortunately, there is mounting evidence that California is failing to uphold this bedrock democratic principle. As revealed by a volunteer working with Patriot Force California, the mail-in ballots for this year’s solitary ballot initiative appear to be neither private nor secure. Pauly thus describes an “incurable flaw” in the design of the mail-in ballot envelope issued in Orange County — a flaw that may very well be echoed in counties across the state.

In a recent Lex Rex Institute video, and as seen in the image below, this risk is starkly demonstrated. With just one item on the ballot, folding the ballot in half and placing it in the purportedly “secure” envelope leaves the vote clearly visible if anyone shines a light through it. As someone who has already sent in such a ballot, I can attest to the disturbing accuracy of this claim. Thankfully, the Lex Rex Institute is preparing to file a challenge to the mail-in ballot envelopes in the federal courts in the Central District of California.

Source: Author/Lex Rex Institute.

Note this is not just an abstract concern: the right to vote in privacy has deep historical roots, going back to 1888. That is why voter privacy is built into the infrastructure of every voting center, with walls and barriers designed to ensure confidentiality. Yet these same standards are being ignored when it comes to absentee and mail-in voting. Even worse, Pauly notes flaws have been discovered in Sacramento — ballots that can be partially viewed due to literal holes in the envelope, putting the privacy of the vote at direct risk. The evidence is clear: compromised privacy in mail-in voting is not unique to Orange County.

So what does Proposition 50 represent, if not a dangerous step backward? The flaws and breaches revealed are not mere technical oversights — they are fundamental violations of a citizen’s right to a secret ballot and to confidence in the voting process. Allowing these problems to go unchecked would undermine not only the outcome of this ballot, but the entire system by which we govern ourselves.

This is a clarion call for all Californians who value their vote and believe in genuine democracy. If you care about the sanctity of your ballot, do not remain silent. Make your voice heard loudly — not only at the ballot box, but by contacting your Registrar of Voters, your local representatives, and the courts. Demand real security for all ballots, insist on proper ballot design, and require true transparency in our electoral process. Support principled organizations like the Lex Rex Institute and Patriot Force California as they lead the legal challenge to restore election integrity.

The right to privacy, and the assurance of a fair, accurate vote, is the foundation of self-government. These are not partisan issues, but essentials of the republic itself. Insist on immediate reforms and lend your voice and energy to the fight to ensure Proposition 50 and future elections live up to the standards America deserves. The integrity of our republic depends on our resolve to defend it. Stand up. Speak out. Demand better — for yourself, and for generations of Californians yet to come.

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Walter Myers III is a Southern California-based Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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