What is Election Mail?
Election Mail is any item mailed to or from authorized election officials that enables citizens to participate in the voting process, such as balloting materials, voter registration cards, absentee applications, and polling place notifications.
What is Political Mail?
Political Mail includes Political Campaign Mail and Political Message Mail.
n Political Campaign Mail is any material mailed at First-Class Mail® or USPS Marketing Mail® prices for political campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, a campaign committee (federal, state, or local), or a committee of a political party (e.g., Democratic National Committee or Republican Congressional Campaign Committee) to promote political candidates, referendums, or political campaigns.
n Political Message Mail is any material mailed at First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail prices by a political action committee (PAC), super-PAC, or other organization engaging in issue advocacy or voter mobilization.
Political Mail may be sent for any public election — partisan or nonpartisan — for which there is a ballot. Political Mail is identified using red Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing.
Plan Objectives
n Educate and inform the public on proper mail handling, key dates, and general tips for Election Mail and Political Mail.
n Reinforce the message that the Postal Service takes its job of delivering ballots and other Election Mail and Political Mail very seriously.
n Ensure the correct use of Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing. Political Message Mail (mailings from certain groups about issue advocacy or voter mobilization) and Political Campaign Mail (mailings from certain groups or individuals related to a candidate, campaign, or referendum) both use Tag 57.
n Ensure the correct use of Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In Ballots. Postal Service employees must correctly identify and promptly process this mail.
n Ensure the correct use of the official Election Mail logo. It may be used on all Election Mail, including ballots.
n Inform election officials that ballots will be handled correctly. Educate them on service standards so they can ensure ballots are mailed and returned by the deadline.
n Ensure Postal Service employees know that they must always promptly and efficiently handle Election Mail or Political Mail with equal care and attention.
