Election and Political Mail

Election Mail

States and localities are increasingly using U.S. Mail® services in the election process. Election Mail is any item mailed to or from authorized election officials that enables citizens to participate in the voting process, such as balloting materials, voter registration cards, absentee applications, and polling place notifications.

Political Mail

Political Mail includes Political Campaign Mail and Political Message Mail.

  • Political Campaign Mail is any material mailed at First-Class Mail® or USPS Marketing Mail® prices for political campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, a campaign committee (federal, state, or local), or a committee of a political party (e.g., Democratic National Committee or Republican Congressional Campaign Committee) to promote political candidates, referendums, or political campaigns.

  • Political Message Mail is any material mailed at First-Class Mail® or USPS Marketing Mail® prices by a political action committee (PAC), super-PAC, or other organization engaging in issue advocacy or voter mobilization.

Political Mail may be sent for any public election – partisan or nonpartisan – for which there is a ballot.

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.

Description

Getting Started with Election Mail

State and local election officials should:

  1. Review important policies and documentation on Official Election Mail, such as:

    1. KIT 600 – the Official Election Mail Program Kit

    2. Publication 631 - Official Election Mail—Graphic Guidelines and Logos

    3. Publication 632 - State and Local Election Mail—User’s Guide (including the step-by-step checklist contained therein)

  2. Contact their local USPS Election and Political Mail Coordinators to discuss needs, and

  3. Have sample ballots and other mailings reviewed by a USPS Mailpiece Design Analyst to ensure compliance with Postal policy and compatibility with our automated processing equipment

For more information, please visit http://www.usps.com/electionmail or contact the USPS Election Mail Program Manager at ElectionMailProgramManager@usps.gov

Getting Started with Political Mail

Mailers of Political Mail (see above) should:

  1. Review https://www.usps.com/business/political-mail.htm and https://www.deliverthewin.com/

  2. Contact their local USPS Election and Political Mail Coordinators to discuss needs and learn about next steps.

Featured Resources

User Guides
KIT 600–the 2020 Official Election Mail Program Kit

Provides the tools necessary to use the US Mail as a secure, efficient, and effective way to facilitate the election process.

Publications