Election Mail and Political Mail

Election Mail goes to and from election officials and includes ballots, sample ballots, voter registration cards, absentee ballot applications and polling place notifications.1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Election Mail is any item mailed to or from authorized election officials that enables citizens to participate in the voting process, such as ballots, sample ballots, voter registration cards, absentee ballot applications, and polling place notifications.”USPS original

Ballot Mail is the part of Election Mail that holds a live ballot, one a voter can use to cast a vote.1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Ballot Mail is a subset of Election Mail. It consists of any mail piece sent to or from an authorized election official containing a live ballot that may be used to cast a vote in an election.”USPS original It travels two ways: outbound from election officials to the voter, and return from the voter to election officials.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“There are two directions the ballot may be mailed: a. Outbound: From election officials to the voter. b. Return (or inbound): From the voter to election officials.”USPS original Voters return ballots at First-Class Mail prices unless they pay for a premium service.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“Return Ballot Mail (i.e., ballots that voters return to election officials) is sent at First-Class Mail prices, unless a voter opts to pay for a premium service.”USPS original

Political Mail comes from registered political candidates, campaign committees and committees of political parties.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Any material mailed for campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, campaign committee, or committee of a political party, or political message mailing by a political action committee (PAC), super PAC, or other organization engaging in an effort to influence or drive voter mobilization.”USPS original It also covers political message mailings by political action committees, super PACs and other groups that try to drive voter mobilization.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Any material mailed for campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, campaign committee, or committee of a political party, or political message mailing by a political action committee (PAC), super PAC, or other organization engaging in an effort to influence or drive voter mobilization.”USPS original It may be sent for any public election that has a ballot, partisan or nonpartisan.1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Political Mail may be sent for any public election — partisan or nonpartisan — for which there is a ballot.”USPS original

USPS recommends marks for each kind of mail, on the piece and in its Intelligent Mail barcode, to make it more visible in the postal network.1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“To enhance visibility, we recommend use of the Election Mail – Non-Ballot Materials checkbox, Official Election Mail logo, and serialized Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) for Election Mail. … Ballot Mail should use the Election Mail – Official Ballots checkbox, Official Election Mail logo, and serialized IMb for ballots, as well as Ballot Mail STIDs and green Tag 191, Domestic and International Ballots, to increase visibility in the postal network.”USPS original

A Service Type Identifier is a three-digit code in the Intelligent Mail barcode that gives one mailpiece's service type.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“A unique three-digit code embedded in the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb®) that indicates the service type for an individual mailpiece. STIDs denote the mail class, address correction service (ACS™) option, and whether Informed Visibility® Mail Tracking and Reporting (IV®-MTR) is being utilized.”USPS original It shows the mail class, the address correction option and whether the piece uses IV-MTR, USPS's near real-time mail tracking.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“A unique three-digit code embedded in the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb®) that indicates the service type for an individual mailpiece. STIDs denote the mail class, address correction service (ACS™) option, and whether Informed Visibility® Mail Tracking and Reporting (IV®-MTR) is being utilized.”USPS original2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Obtain near real-time notification when your mail receives its last processing scan.”USPS original

Ballot Mail STIDs let USPS identify and track ballots through the mail network, and they are for live ballots only.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“The Ballot Mail STIDs listed below provide the ability to identify and track ballots throughout the mail network. These STIDs are for use with live ballots only.”USPS original Other Election Mail uses the ordinary First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail STID for its address correction option.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“For other types of Election Mail refer to the First-Class Mail® Service STID Table on page 2 and USPS Marketing Mail® Service STID Table on page 4 on Postal Pro to determine which STID to use based on the address correction option and other desired services.”USPS original The STID Finder helps election officials and their mail service providers pick a STID for outbound mailings.1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“The Election Mail and Ballot Mail Service Type IDentifier (STID) Finder is a tool designed to assist election officials and their mail service providers in selecting an appropriate Election Mail and Ballot Mail STID for their outbound mailings.”USPS original

In the option names, ** marks an option that needs the printed ancillary service endorsement.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“** Requires the printed text ancillary service endorsement. The option selected must not be printed with the endorsement.”USPS original A $ marks an option that charges postage and fees for undeliverable mail returned to the sender.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“$ Postage and fees are charged for undeliverable mail that is returned to sender.”USPS original

The return STID 780, UOCAVA, is only for voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“Permit Reply Mail 779 UOCAVA 780 … Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act voters use only.”USPS original Absent overseas uniformed services voters may return absentee ballots with Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD, without prepaying postage.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“Absent overseas uniformed services voters, as defined in 52 U.S.C.§ 20304(d), may return absentee ballots from the following locations by using Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD without prepaying postage: Overseas APO/FPO military locations; DPO locations; or Department of State (DOS) locations.”USPS original They may do so from APO/FPO military, DPO or Department of State locations.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“Absent overseas uniformed services voters, as defined in 52 U.S.C.§ 20304(d), may return absentee ballots from the following locations by using Priority Mail Express Label 11-DOD without prepaying postage: Overseas APO/FPO military locations; DPO locations; or Department of State (DOS) locations.”USPS original

Address Change Service is a post-mailing service that tells USPS how to handle Undeliverable as Addressed mail.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“ACS is a post-mailing service that provides USPS with instructions on how to handle Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) mail and provides you with electronic Change of Address (COA) information or the reason for non-delivery.”USPS original It gives the mailer the voter's new address or the reason the piece was not delivered.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“ACS is a post-mailing service that provides USPS with instructions on how to handle Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) mail and provides you with electronic Change of Address (COA) information or the reason for non-delivery.”USPS original Every STID carries one address correction option.4Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 1“A unique three-digit code embedded in the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb®) that indicates the service type for an individual mailpiece. STIDs denote the mail class, address correction service (ACS™) option, and whether Informed Visibility® Mail Tracking and Reporting (IV®-MTR) is being utilized.”USPS original

The electronic notices come three ways, and each is a group of STIDs:

• OneCode ACS sends electronic address corrections through the Intelligent Mail barcode.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“OneCode ACS® feature allows you to receive electronic or automated address corrections through the use of the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb®) when mailing a ballot using First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail services.”USPS original
• Full-Service ACS adds a benefit for barcoded mail that qualifies for Full-Service prices.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“Full-Service ACS offers an additional benefit for mail using the IMb that qualifies for Full-Service discount postage prices.”USPS original
• Traditional ACS marks pieces with a seven-character ACS participant code from USPS and an optional keyline.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“In addition to the IMb, your mailpieces will be identified with a Postal-supplied seven-character alpha identifier known as the ACS participant code and an optional keyline.”USPS original

Political Mail STIDs let IV-MTR identify Political Mail during mail processing, and they are for Political Mail only.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“The use of the following STIDs allows for Informed Visibility Mail Tracking and Reporting (IV-MTR) that uniquely identifies Political Mail during mail processing.”USPS original They come with and without IV-MTR, for Basic or Nonautomation mail and for Full-Service mail.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Basic or Nonautomation without IV-MTR* Basic or Nonautomation with IV-MTR* Full-Service without IV-MTR* Full-Service with IV-MTR*”USPS original

A ♻ in an option marks the ACS Green & Secure option.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“ACS Green & Secure Option. Additional First-Class Mail Green & Secure STIDs are available when you sign up for Secure Destruction.”USPS original More First-Class Mail Green & Secure STIDs come with a Secure Destruction sign-up.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“ACS Green & Secure Option. Additional First-Class Mail Green & Secure STIDs are available when you sign up for Secure Destruction.”USPS original

For outgoing mail, IV-MTR gives near real-time notice when the mail gets its last processing scan.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Obtain near real-time notification when your mail receives its last processing scan.”USPS original For return mail, it gives near real-time notice when the mail enters the mailstream.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Obtain near real-time notification when return mail enters the mailstream.”USPS original To start, a mailer registers for a Business Customer Gateway account, turns on the IV-MTR service and sets up data feeds.2Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 3“Register for a Business Customer Gateway (BCG) account, enable the IV-MTR service, and set up data feeds.”USPS original

A mailer should use the Election Mail attribute in eDoc, the electronic postage statement, to identify a mailing as Election Mail.5Service Type Identifier (STID) Table Effective January 21, 2024Effective January 21, 2024 · PDF page 6“The Election Mail attribute in eDoc should be used to identify a mailing as Election Mail.”USPS original In Mail.dat, the statement claims one of three characteristic codes.6Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0PDF page 381“Only Priority, First Class, and USPS Marketing Mail postage statements with .mpu Mail Piece Unit – Processing Category of LT = Letters, FL = Flats, or CD = Cards may claim a .ccr Characteristic of PM = Political Mail, EB = Election Mail - Official Ballots or EN = Election Mail – Non-Ballot Materials.”USPS original

Only Priority Mail, First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail statements for letters, flats or cards may claim one.6Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0PDF page 381“Only Priority, First Class, and USPS Marketing Mail postage statements with .mpu Mail Piece Unit – Processing Category of LT = Letters, FL = Flats, or CD = Cards may claim a .ccr Characteristic of PM = Political Mail, EB = Election Mail - Official Ballots or EN = Election Mail – Non-Ballot Materials.”USPS original The older code EM is no longer supported.7Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0PDF page 421“The .ccr Characteristic EM = Election Mail is no longer supported and has been replaced with EB = Election Mail - Official Ballots or EN= Election Mail - Non-Ballot Materials.”USPS original

A mailing permit grants permission to use one postage payment method for commercial mailings.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“A mailing permit grants permission to use a certain postage payment method for commercial (business) mailings.”USPS original Commercial prices need at least 500 pieces of First-Class Mail.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“500 pieces for First-Class Mail”USPS original USPS Marketing Mail needs at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for USPS Marketing Mail”USPS original All business mail goes to a Business Mail Entry Unit.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“All business mail must be brought to a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU).”USPS original

A permit holder is eligible to have the annual fee waived when 75% or more of the permit's volume is Full-Service Eligible.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Note: Permit Holders presenting Full-Service mailings are eligible for the waiver of annual presort mailing when 75% or more of each permit’s overall volume is Full-Service Eligible, AND 90% or more of each permit’s Full-Service Eligible mail is submitted as Full-Service.”USPS original At least 90% of that eligible mail must also go as Full-Service.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Note: Permit Holders presenting Full-Service mailings are eligible for the waiver of annual presort mailing when 75% or more of each permit’s overall volume is Full-Service Eligible, AND 90% or more of each permit’s Full-Service Eligible mail is submitted as Full-Service.”USPS original Annual mailing fees are deferred when a permit is used for a Seamless mailing.8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Annual mailing fees are deferred when a permit is used for a Seamless mailing.”USPS original

Under Address Service Requested, USPS Marketing Mail pieces pay an additional weighted fee for returns.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“USPS Marketing Mail mailpieces are charged an additional weighted fee for mail that must be returned.”USPS original Under Return Service Requested Option 2, they pay the single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail price, by weight.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“USPS Marketing Mail mailpieces are returned at either the single piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail® price, depending on the weight.”USPS original First-Class Mail pieces are returned at no charge.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“First-Class Mail mailpieces are returned at no charge.”USPS original

A USPS Marketing Mail piece, or one with manual address corrections, is forwarded or returned only when it carries the printed endorsement.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“If you are using USPS Marketing Mail service or manual address corrections, please be aware that in order to have your mailpiece forwarded or returned to you, the mailpiece must contain the associated printed text ancillary service endorsement.”USPS original That endorsement comes at an additional cost.3Ballot Mail & Political Mail STIDs Fact SheetPDF page 2“This comes at an additional cost.”USPS original

A postage statement whose pieces claim more than one of the three Election Mail and Political Mail characteristics is identified as none of them.10Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0PDF page 436“All pieces on a statement must claim only one of the following Election Mail - Non-Ballot Materials, Election Mail - Official Ballots, or Political Mail. The statement will not be identified as any.”USPS original

A permit is canceled when no mailings are entered and no annual fees are paid for 2 years.9Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Note: If no mailings are entered and no annual fee payments are made during a 2-year period, the permit is canceled.”USPS original Business mailings cannot be entered at commercial prices until the annual mailing fee is paid.9Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Business mailings cannot be entered at commercial prices until the annual mailing fee is paid.”USPS original

• A local Manager Customer Relations, for election officials and Political Mail mailers: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/contact-local-mcr1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Contact their local Manager Customer Relations to discuss needs and learn about next steps: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/contact-local-mcr”USPS original
• Mailpiece review for Election Mail: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/election-mail-review1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Have sample ballots and other mailings reviewed by an USPS Mailpiece Design Analyst to ensure compliance with postal policy and compatibility with our automated processing equipment: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/election-mail-review”USPS original
• Election Mail service problems: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/report-a-problem1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Receive support by notifying the Postal Service of any Election Mail service issues: https://electionmail.usps.com/s/report-a-problem”USPS original
• Political Mail notices: https://tools.usps.com/political-mail-alert.htm1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Create a mailing notice by completing our online reporting form at least 2 days before you plan to drop off your political mailing so the receiving Post Office™ facility is notified in advance: https://tools.usps.com/political-mail-alert.htm”USPS original
• Political Mail issues after processing: https://tools.usps.com/political-mail-issue.htm1PostalPro: Election Mail and Political Mail“Report any issues with your mailing after it is processed through our online reporting form: https://tools.usps.com/political-mail-issue.htm”USPS original
• Mailing permits, the Mailing and Shipping Solutions Center: 1-877-672-00078Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“If assistance is needed, please contact the Mailing and Shipping Solution Center at 1-877-672-0007 or contact your local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU).”USPS original or MSSC@usps.gov8Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“MSSC@usps.gov”USPS original