Q. Why was the Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD created? 
A. Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD was created for a joint agency initiative between the US Postal Service and the DOD Military Postal Service in response to the MOVE act to provide military and authorized DOD personnel in APO/FPO locations an expedient method to return absentee ballots while providing the ability to track the absentee ballots all the way to delivery. 

Q. How is the postage paid for? 
A. Congress has appropriated funds for 11-DOD usage payments. The reconciliation of the 11-DOD label usage is based on the completed scans. 

Q. Are there specific size requirements for these absentee ballots? 
A. The absentee ballot return envelope may be as small as a #10 business–sized envelope or as large as a flat-sized envelope, and weigh less than 16 ounces. 

Q. Can this label be applied to absentee ballots mailed within the United States? 
A. This label is unique and is only for use with absentee ballots weighing less than 16 ounces originating from an APO or FPO Military Post Office. 

Q. Are Absentee Ballots with Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD accepted at USPS Retail locations? 
A. No, this label is not accepted at USPS Retail locations in the United States. Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD can only be applied and accepted at Military Post Office APO/FPO origin locations. 

Q. Where on the Absentee Ballot envelope should the Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD be applied? 
A. The label should be affixed to the top of the envelope/flat, folding over to the back with a tear off section for the sender to retain. The Priority Mail Express tracking number is easy to recognize. 

Q. How soon before the election will absentee ballots with the Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD arrive at my Postal facility? 
A. Depending on your location, these absentee ballots with the Label 11-DOD affixed could arrive for delivery up to 60 days before an election. 

Q. Is this Priority Mail Express treated differently than other Priority Mail Express shipments? 
A. These absentee ballots with the Label 11-DOD affixed should arrive with all other Priority Mail Express volume and receive the same scan events. These shipments have both a “Waiver of Signature” and “Guaranteed By End Of Day” endorsement. There is no deviation for delivery by a specific time Shipments should always be delivered on the day they arrive at the delivery Post Office. 

Q. What scan events should be made on an absentee ballot envelope/flat with Label 11-DOD affixed? 
A. The absentee ballot envelope/flat with Label 11-DOD is a Priority Mail Express shipment and will receive an “Acceptance” scan event at the Military Post Office. Other scan events include an “Enroute” scan at the gateway Processing Center, an “Enroute” scan at the destination Processing Facility, and an “Arrival at Unit”, “Delivered” and/or other appropriate “Stop-the-Clock” scan event at the delivery office. An “Attempt” scan event should be rare, as “Waiver of Signature” is requested for these shipments.

Label 11-DOD, DOD Priority Mail Express Label (Absentee Ballot)