How to Determine the Right STID:

1. Which direction is the Ballot Mail envelope being mail ?

There are two directions the ballot may be mailed:

1. Outbound: From the election office to the voter.
2. Return (or inbound): From the voter to the election office.
2. Which class of mail is being used?

Ballot Mail STIDs differ depending on whether the ballots are mailed as First-Class Mail® or USPS Marketing Mail®. We strongly recommend the use of First-Class Mail for all Ballot Mail.

3. Determine whether you want to receive Address Change Service (ACS™) information on the voter.

ACS is a post-mailing service that provides the Postal Service with instructions on how to handle mail that is Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) and provides you with electronic Change of Address (COA)

information or the reason for non-delivery.

1. If you do not want to receive ACS data, use No Address Corrections- No Printed Endorsement.
2. If you do want to receive ACS data, decide how you want to receive the data:

Manual Notice: Physical address correction notice PS Form 3547, Notice to Mailer of Correction in Address, will be provided to you with the voter’s correct address information.

Electronic Notice:

i. OneCode ACS^® allows you to receive electronic or automated address corrections through the use of the IMb when mailing a ballot using First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail. More information can be found on https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing-and-shippingservices/onecode-acs

ii. Full-Service ACS provides an additional benefit for mail using the Intelligent Mail barcode that qualifies for Full-Service discount postage prices. Full-Service discounts and the resulting Full-Service ACS benefits are available at https://postalpro.usps.com/node/2788.

iii. Traditional ACS allows you to receive address corrections in an electronic format when mailing a ballot in a letter or flat sized envelope. In addition to the IMb, your mailpieces will be identified with a postal supplied seven-character alpha identifier known as the ACS participant code and an optional keyline. A keyline is a unique code that allows you to either incorporate existing voter identifiers or create a new system that assists in locating the voter in your database. Additional information is available atat https://postalpro.usps.com/address-quality-solutions/traditional-acs.

 

4. Do you want UAA Ballot Mail to be forwarded (if possible), or returned to you?
1. Forward

Address Service Requested Option 1: Mail is forwarded, if possible, or returned if forwarding is not possible. A manual or electronic notice with the voter’s new address information is provided for forwarded pieces and the address correction fee is charged. First-Class Mail is forwarded or returned at no charge. USPS Marketing Mail is charged an additional weighted fee for mail that must be returned.

Address Service Requested Option 2: Mail is forwarded, if possible, or returned if forwarding is not possible. An electronic notice is issued for either result. For First-Class Mail, the piece will be returned to sender at no charge with the reason for non-delivery attached; however, a separate notice with the reason for non-delivery will be provided for a fee. USPS Marketing Mail is charged an additional weighted fee for mail that must be returned.

2. Return

Return Service Requested Option 2: The mailpiece is returned to sender with the new address or reason for non-delivery. First-Class Mail is returned at no charge. USPS Marketing Mail is returned at either the single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail price, depending on the weight of the piece.

5. Do you meet the requirements to be a Full-Service Mailer?

The qualifications to be a Full-Service Mailer can be found on PostalPro at https://postalpro.usps.com/certifications/standard-full-service-certification-mailers.

1. If yes, Full-Service with IV-MTR STIDs will match your mailing goals.
2. If no, Basic / Non-Automation with IV-MTR STIDs will match your mailing goals.