Field Information Kit: Election Mail — 2008

Introduction

Over 3,000 counties in the United States are responsible for conducting elections for local, state, and national offices. To increase voter turnout and make it more conve­nient for citizens to participate in elections, many counties have adopted new policies such as “No Excuse Absentee Voting” and “Vote-by-Mail.” These alternatives to the tradi­tional obligation of going to a polling station on Election Day provide the Postal Service™ with an opportunity for new mail volume, and it helps to enhance the value of mail in the minds of the public.

Leading up to the General Election on November 4, 2008, an increasing number of mail-in ballots and other official election materials prepared by election officials will be entering the mailstream. Concurrently, there will be campaign mailings promoting political candidates, referen­dums, and political campaigns. During this time, it is critical that Postal Service employees maintain their usual high level of service to ensure that all Official Election Mail (OEM) and Political Campaign Mail (PCM) are processed and delivered timely. Providing reliable service for this very important, time-sensitive mail will demonstrate the Postal Service’s strong commitment to supporting voters and local election officials.

This information kit is designed to provide Postal Service employees with the information they need about election mail.