Confidence in our elections is essential to a healthy democracy. Californians deserve an election system that protects voter privacy and maintains the highest standards of integrity.
That’s why I’ve introduced AB 1993, legislation designed to strengthen ballot security by ensuring that ballot envelopes cannot reveal a voter’s selection or personal information through any holes, windows, or perforations.
Why This Bill Is Needed
During a recent special election in California, concerns spread online that ballot envelope holes could reveal when a voter marked “No” on their ballot. While this situation only occurred in Sacramento County and only when ballots were inserted in a specific way, the rumor quickly raised questions about ballot privacy.
Even when fraud is not occurring, any vulnerability that could expose a voter’s choice can undermine confidence in our election system.
What AB 1993 Does
AB 1993 strengthens ballot integrity by requiring:
- Ballot envelope holes, windows, or perforations must be at least one-half inch away from any fillable field on the ballot to ensure votes and personal information cannot be seen.
- The California Secretary of State is to adopt statewide regulations to ensure this standard is followed consistently in every county.
Protecting Voter Privacy and Trust
Every voter should be confident that their ballot is private, secure, and protected. By setting clear statewide standards for ballot envelopes, AB 1993 closes a potential vulnerability and helps restore public trust in our elections.
I will continue working to advance commonsense reforms that strengthen election security and ensure every Californian can have confidence in the integrity of our voting system.
Stay tuned for updates as AB 1993 moves through the legislative process.