The Postal Service and the Military Postal Service have joined forces to provide special handling of absentee ballots to overseas military personnel. The Postal Service recognizes the important role mail plays in the election process and is committed to ensuring that everyone who votes by mail experiences a smooth, well-organized process — one that provides them with the highest level of trust and confidence. Special procedures for APO⁄FPO⁄DPO Absentee Ballots are provided for Election Officials and Postal Service employees.
Here is a summary of the program:
n Election officials should mail absentee ballots at least 45 days prior to the November 8 election.
n All military absentee ballots mailed by election officials from September 1 through November 8 will be subject to special handling procedures.
n Local election offices are requested to segregate military absentee ballots to the Chicago International⁄Military Service Center (ISC) gateway and the Miami International Service Center.
n At the International Service Centers, absentee ballots receive special handling.
n Trays or containers of absentee ballot mail may be identified using Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-in Ballots, and presented to the Post Office™.
n APO⁄FPO absentee ballots will be sent from local Post Office locations to the nearest Processing and Distribution Center for further processing.
