Local Managers Customer Relations (MCRs) are designated Postal Service employees who can help coordinate mailings with the Postal Service. MCRs are available to provide resources for designing, preparing, and sending Election Mail. Connect with an MCR by submitting an inquiry at electionmail.usps.com/s/contact-local-mcr.
The United States Postal Inspection Service® (USPIS®) is the federal law enforcement organization assigned to protect the mail, including ballots mailed to and from voters domestically and abroad. Postal inspectors nationwide secure the Postal Service network, and are a primary point of contact for Election Mail security. USPIS serves as a member of the Department of Justice Election Threats Task Force. Postal inspectors respond to any reported criminal incidents involving Election Mail, including mail theft, fraud, and incidents involving threatening, suspicious, or dangerous mail.
To report suspicious mail and Election Mail-related security or criminal incidents, call the USPIS 24-hour law enforcement communications center at 877-876-2455 (select option 4 for Election Mail issues) or go to uspis.gov. Postal inspectors also coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General when allegations of Postal Service employee misconduct arise.
USPIS Election Crimes Coordinators (ECCs) are designated postal inspectors that address Election Mail and other election-related issues, as described above, that require law enforcement attention. ECCs coordinate closely with the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, USPS Office of the Inspector General, and local and state law enforcement, when appropriate. Additionally, ECCs are located throughout the United States and coordinate with local and state election officials in instances where Election Mail is recovered as part of a criminal or security incident.
Please refer to the following resources for guidance during the election cycle:
n For external information and resources on Election Mail, go to about.usps.com/election-mail.
n For Political Mail guidance and tips, go to deliverthewin.com.
n Election Officials can report Election Mail problems to the Postal Service at electionmail.usps.com/s/report-a-problem. This resource is for election officials only; voters must contact their local election office directly with any concerns.
n Report Political Mail issues to the Postal Service at tools.usps.com/political-mail-issue.htm.
n Go online and notify USPS in advance of Political Mail drops by providing a copy of your mailpiece and PS Form 3600 or 3602. Create the notice at tools.usps.com/political-mail-alert.htm.
n To download the 2026-2027 Official Election Mail Guide (Kit 600), go to about.usps.com/kits/kit600/welcome.htm.
n For information on Election Mail and Political Mail resources, go to postalpro.usps.com/mailing/election-political-mail.
n For information on how to set up an account for permit-based solutions for Election Mail, go to postalpro.usps.com/mailing/election-politi-cal-mail/permit-solutions.
The Postal Service recommends that every Election Mail piece design be reviewed by an MDA before it is used in the 2026 election cycle. For assistance, contact an MDA by:
n Submitting a design review request at electionmail.usps.com/s/election-mail-review.
n Call 877-672-0007 (select option 3 for mailpiece design); or
n Go to postalpro.usps.com/mailing/mailpiece-design-analyst-mda-customer-service-help-desk.
n Service Type Identifiers To determine the right STID for your mailing, go to postalpro.usps.com/service-type-identifiers/stidtable.
n Election officials can obtain suggestions on which STID to use for Election Mail and Ballot Mail by using the STID Finder tool available on Postal Pro at postalpro.usps.com/stid-tool.
n For information and guidelines to help your ballot mail get higher visibility during processing, go to about.usps.com/election-mail.
n To learn about the proper use of Tag 57,go to usps.com/political-mail/tag-57.pdf.
n To learn about the proper use of the Official Election Mail logo for mailpieces, go to about.usps.com/publications/pub631.pdf.
n For information that election officials must consider before mailing, go to about.usps.com/publications/pub632.pdf.
n See DMM 703.8.0, Ballot Mail at pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/703.htm#ep1174014.
n Review DMM 608.11, Postmarks and Postal Possession at pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/608.htm.
n USPS Service Standards Transit Time Map: usps.com/service-standards.
— Public Relations,
Corporate Communications, 1-22-26
