Effective October 7, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 703.8 to require that the balloting materials for all types of ballots, whether disseminated in hardcopy or electronically, must indicate in a prominent location the proper amount of First-Class Mail® postage that must be paid. This information must be included in the balloting materials (i.e., on the ballot, ballot instructions, mailing instructions, or the envelope) with the marking “First-Class Mail postage must be applied.” Alternatively, the marking “Apply First-Class Mail postage here” could be printed in the upper right corner of the address side of the envelope used by the voter to return the ballot to election officials. The Postal Service will also accept approved variations of the above markings.
Additionally, balloting materials must indicate, in a prominent location, the specific amount of First-Class Mail postage required for the return of the ballot to election officials.
The marking requirements will not apply to balloting materials that meet one of the following exceptions:
n The balloting materials are qualified under the special exemption for military and overseas voting.
n The ballot is returned under Business Reply Mail® service.
n Return postage is guaranteed through a postage due account.
n Postage on the ballot is prepaid by stamps, meter, or Permit Reply Mail.
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Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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700 Special Standards
[Revise the heading of 703 to read as follows:]
703 Nonprofit Standard Mail and/or Other Unique Eligibility
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[Revise the heading of 8.0 to read as follows:]
8.0 Balloting Materials
[Renumber 8.1 and 8.2 as 8.2 and 8.3. Add new 8.1 to read as follows:]
8.1 Basic Standards
8.1.1 Definition
Balloting materials include postcard applications, all ballot types, voting instructions, mailing instructions, and return envelopes.
8.1.2 Exceptions to Standards
An exception to the marking and verification standards in 8.1.3 through 8.1.5 is granted for one of the following reasons:
a. Ballots are mailed under 8.2, Special Exemption.
b. Ballots are returned under 505.1.0, Business Reply Mail.
c. A postage due account has been established to guarantee the payment of return postage.
d. Prepayment of return postage is made by stamps, meter, or Permit Reply Mail.
8.1.3 Postage
Except for ballots which meet one of the exceptions under 8.1.2, balloting materials for any election, whether disseminated in hardcopy or electronically, must indicate in a prominent location that the proper amount of postage must be paid. This information must be included in the balloting materials with the marking “First-Class Mail postage must be applied.” Alternatively, the marking “Apply First-Class Mail postage here” may be printed in the upper right corner of the address side of the return envelope. Approved versions will also be acceptable in either location. Election officials should consult with Postal Service officials to assist with mailpiece design and barcode placement, and to determine the proper amount of postage required for mailing ballots to voters or returning ballots to election officials.
8.1.4 Notification of Postage Requirement on Return Ballots
Except for ballots meeting one of the exceptions under 8.1.2, all ballot types for any election, whether disseminated in hardcopy or electronically, must indicate in a prominent location on the balloting materials the specific amount of First-Class Mail postage required for return by mail to election officials.
8.1.5 Verification
Except for ballots which meet one of the exceptions under 8.1.2, each mailing must be accompanied by a complete sample mailpiece.
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[Revise the heading of renumbered 8.2 to read as follows:]
8.2 Special Exemption
8.2.1 Definition
[Revise the introductory text of renumbered 8.2.1 to read as follows:]
Balloting materials may be sent through the mail without prepayment of postage to enable persons in the following categories to apply for registration and vote by absentee ballot when absent from the place of voting residence and otherwise eligible to vote as an absentee:
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[Delete renumbered heading 8.3, Marking, and renumber 8.3.1 as 8.2.5, Exhibit 8.3.1 as Exhibit 8.2.5, 8.3.2 as 8.2.6, Exhibit 8.3.2 as Exhibit 8.2.6, and 8.3.3 as 8.2.7.]
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 9-5-13
