Vote by mail envelope that protects privacy of voter's signature

摘要

Methods and systems that provide privacy of signatures on envelopes containing ballots are provided. The envelope (10) for returning ballots includes a flap (14) with a window (26) that aligns with a signature area (20) on the envelope. The window (26) appears opaque under normal lighting conditions, but appears transparent when illuminated with light within a predetermined band of wavelengths. To read the signature, light having wavelength within the predetermined band can be directed onto the window (26), thereby rendering the window transparent and the signature visible.