The California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, on October 13, clarified information about Statewide Special Election ballot envelopes for the November 4, 2025, statewide special election.
The election is slated for November 4, 2025.
“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 statement on October 13, 2025.
She added that the small holes on ballot envelopes help sight-impaired voters locate where to sign.
Voters can insert their ballot in multiple ways, including methods that keep markings hidden.
The Secretary of State’s office does not print or review ballot envelopes but encourages counties to use the Center for Civic Design’s ballot design resources.
How Voters Can Return Ballots
Drop off ballot at a secure drop box, polling place, vote center, or county elections office.
Mail ballot; ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. If mailing on Election Day, get a manual postmark from a postal employee.
Voters also have the option to vote in person.
The development comes days after registered voters in California started receiving mail-in ballots in October for the statewide special election scheduled for November 4, 2025.
The County Elections Office began mailing vote-by-mail ballots on October 6, 2025, the City of Santa Barbara stated on its website. The last day to register to vote is October 20, 2025.
According to the California Secretary of State’s website:
Ballot drop-off locations open on October 7, 2025.
Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or at the county elections office.
Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning October 25, 2025.
Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2025.