Election and Political Mail

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 ballots, sample ballots, voter registration cards, absentee ballot applications, and polling place notifications.

To enhance visibility, we recommend use of the Election Mail checkbox, Official Election Mail logo, and serialized Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) for outbound ballots.

Ballot Mail

Ballot Mail is a subset of Election Mail. It consists of any mailpiece sent to or from an authorized election official containing a live ballot that may be used to cast a vote in an election. Ballot Mail should use the Election Mail checkbox, Official Election Mail logo, and serialized IMb for outbound ballots, as well as Ballot Mail STIDs and green Tag 191, Domestic and International Ballots, to increase visibility in the postal network.

Political Mail

Political Mail is any material mailed for campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, campaign committee, or committee of a political party, as well as any material mailed by a political action committee or organization engaging in issues 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, and by using Political Mail STIDs.

Reporting & Dropping Off Political Mail

Create Mailing Notice

1.  Complete 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.
2.  Drop off your political mailing at a Business Mail Entry Unit.

Report a Problem

To report any issues with your mailing after it is processed, use our online reporting form.