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 campaign activity, 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.
Election and Political Mail Project Plan
The Postal Service 2020 Election and Political Mail Project Plan coordinates strategy with key organizational priorities. The plan objectives are to:
n Educate and inform the public on proper mail handling, key dates, and operational guidelines 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 require the use of Tag 57.
n Ensure the correct use of Tag 191, Domestic and International Ballots. Postal Service employees must correctly identify and process this mail according to the appropriate level of service. Tag 191 may not be used for sample ballots.
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 according to USPS® service standards. Educate the officials 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.
Key Messages
Mail is an increasingly important part of U.S. elections. Throughout the 2020 election cycle, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
n U.S. Mail® services are a vital part of the U.S. election process. The Postal Service will ensure the dependable and timely delivery of Election Mail and Political Mail.
n The Postal Service takes pride in the popularity of U.S. Mail as an efficient and effective means for citizens to participate in the voting process.
n Customers can trust the Postal Service to deliver their mailed ballots in a timely manner.
n The Postal Service offers a state-by-state outreach program to ensure election boards, political candidates, and mailers are aware of the appropriate procedures and important deadlines to help ensure the proper processing and delivery of Election Mail and Political Mail.
n The Postal Service expects to handle millions of ballots this election cycle — proof that mail is a dependable and protected way to cast a vote.
n Voter communication ensures that ballots have sufficient time to be processed, delivered, and counted.
n The Postal Service suggests that election officials provide voters with guidelines for returning marked ballots with mailing timelines in the balloting materials packet to ensure timely delivery. Return by mail dates are based on state and local laws, but the Postal Service recommends the following:
n Domestic non-military voters are advised to mail ballots at least 1 week before the due date to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues.
n Military personnel serving overseas, such as Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office (APO/FPO) voters, must follow the return by mail date for their location (see fvap.gov/eo/overview).
Key Voter Message — Mailed Return Ballots
Customers who opt to vote through U.S. Mail service must understand their local jurisdiction’s requirements for timely submission of absentee ballots, including postmarking requirements. Voters must contact their local election officials for questions about local deadlines. The Postal Service recommends that voters mail their ballots at least 1 week before the due date to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues.
Key Election Official Message — Ballots
Whether using First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail service, customers are encouraged to work closely with local Postal Service election mail coordinators to determine delivery times for the mailings. For coordinator contact information, visit about.usps.com/gov-services/election-mail/political-mail-map.htm.
