It is safe — and private — to vote by mail in the special election on redistricting , California’s elections officials say after multiple, now-viral social media posts have claimed otherwise in recent days.

Mailed ballots are not designed to show or expose what the voter marked, Secretary of State Shirley Weber said, pushing back on recent claims peddled by popular social media accounts and Republican politicians.

At issue is the envelope provided for ballots to be returned either by mail or at a drop box or vote center. Counties are in charge of printing the ballots and mail voting materials (including the return envelope), and some have opted to include small punched holes on the envelope to help visually impaired voters find where they need to sign in order for their ballot to be co

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