Foes of Newsom’s Gerrymander Power Grab Advise Voters to Conceal Ballots

Opponents of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gerrymandering plan to redraw congressional districts to favor Democrats are warning voters to “flip” over their mail-in ballots when returning them to ensure that their vote on the measure can’t be seen through the envelope. 

This comes after critics of the Newsom-driven ballot measure noted that mail-in ballot return envelopes could expose their “No” vote against the redistricting policy. The envelope design only exposes the “No” votes.

Newsom and most Democrats support Proposition 50 on the November ballot, an off-year ballot measure designed to transfer the power to draw up congressional districts to the state legislature. This would take it away from the California Citizens Redistricting Commission that currently draws congressional and legislative districts. 

Importantly, mail-in ballots can be folded differently so the return envelope won’t expose the vote, said Amy Thoma, spokesperson for the Vote No on 50 campaign. 

“If you flip the ballot around, it will hide the vote,” Thoma told The Daily Signal. “We feel confident that people will still vote and we encourage them to vote ‘No.’ We understand why people are concerned about it, but if you are concerned, you should flip your ballot.” 

A video from the California GOP posted on social media explains how to fold the ballot differently in the envelope. 

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, called the mail-in ballot concerns “misinformation.”

“We have been seeing a great deal of misinformation about the November 4, 2025, Statewide Special Election ballot envelopes, and I want to set the record straight,” Weber said in a public statement last week. “The small holes on ballot envelopes are an accessibility feature to allow sight-impaired voters to orient themselves to where they are required to sign the envelope.”

Still, others remain skeptical with online posts about the ballot designs.

“Prop 50 election in California is officially fraudulent. Gavin Newsom has sent out envelopes that expose if you vote against his redistricting cheating,” one post says. “It’s cheating on top of cheating for Newsom. That’s all he ever does, ask his ex.”

“If you Vote No on Prop 50, it shows through the envelope.  Hmmm. … Flip it over so that it does not show through,” one post says. 

“Don’t let them trash your vote!” the post adds.

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