Political Mail includes Political Campaign Mail and Political Message Mail. The Postal Service recommends marking Political Mail with red Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing.
Objectives
In preparation for higher Political Campaign Mail volume for the election cycle this year, the following actions must take place at every postal facility:
n Ensure the correct use of Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing, for all Political Mail.
n Ensure Postal Service employees know that they must always promptly and efficiently process and deliver Political Mail. Mail entry personnel must ensure that all qualifying mail is documented as Political Mail.
Key Messages
Millions will use the mail to campaign and vote for their chosen candidate this year. It’s also important to note:
n The U.S. Mail remains a secure, efficient, and effective means for citizens and campaigns to participate in the electoral process. The Postal Service considers the dependable and timely delivery of Political Mail promoting candidates and social causes to be essential to the success of the political mailing season.
n The best campaign is a multi-channel campaign. For candidates, Political Mail can help them reach constituents directly.
n Mail can reach 100 percent of targeted voters.
n Mail prompts action, often through other channels.
n Mail has been tested and is proven effective.
For more information, visit usps.com/business/political-mail.htm.
Political Mail Tools
Political Mail grew 58 percent from 2014 to 2018. You can use these resources to prepare for continued growth in 2020:
n The Political Mail website (see deliverthewin.com) provides information on key contacts and other valuable resources, and serves as an online platform to promote direct mail through the following materials:
n Educational articles,
n White papers,
n Case studies, and
n Videos.
n Connections to digital content, such as augmented reality, emphasize the link between digital and hard copy content as a means to extend and increase the effectiveness of political messaging. Augmented reality mailpieces promote campaign messages in a way that engages voters.
n Postal Service webinars highlight key political industry topics.
n The Postal Service has sponsorship agreements with the American Association of Political Consultants and Campaigns and Elections to help promote the use of mail early and often in the political arena. Activities include:
n Attending events and co-sponsored webinars,
n Advertising and white paper development and placement, and
n Direct meetings with political operatives.
Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing, is a red container tag used to identify Political Mail while it’s in the mailstream. Tag 57 can be used in the following ways:
n In a Political Campaign Mailing by a registered political candidate, campaign committee, and committee of a political party; or
n In a Political Message Mailing by a PAC, super-PAC, or other organization engaging in issue advocacy or voter mobilization.
According to the Postal Operations Manual, a registered political candidate or party is defined as an individual or organization recognized by the appropriate government election control authority (national, state, or local).
Tag 57
Service Type Identifiers and Improved Mailpiece Visibility
The Postal Service provides customized Service Type Identifiers (STIDs) specifically for Political Mail to improve visibility. These STIDs have proven instrumental in identifying and tracking Political Mail on hand and in the mailstream. In addition, STIDs have increased the visibility of Political Mail within the automation environment, and have enhanced passive identification and tracking of Political Mail.
When Political Mail STIDs are used as part of an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) the associated Political Mailpiece scan data is available via Informed Visibility (IV) reports. To learn more about Political Mail STIDs, see postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers.
