Election and Political Mail

Mail provides significant support for the political process. Lawmakers and candidates use direct mail to reach out to constituents and potential voters. Several states have turned to vote by mail for general elections. In preparation for November 2014 midterm elections, the Postal Service updated its essential Election Mail and Political Campaign Mail resources. We also took steps to ensure proper identification and cancellation dates for these important mailpieces.

In October 2013, the Postal Service revised ballot-mailing postage standards in the Mailing Standards of the Unites States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual. The rule requires that election officials prominently mark the postage required on all returned ballot materials. In January 2014, an election-mail checkbox was added to postage statements to provide USPS with visibility of all official Election Mail entered into the mail stream.

In response to election officials and municipal mailer requests, the Postal Service began applying a cancellation mark to all letter pieces processed on USPS letter automation-compatible postage cancellation systems. This change, among other uses, will allow identification by mailing date of ballot materials, voter registration cards, absentee applications and polling place notifications.