Official Election Mail: Proper Handling Helps Deliver Democracy

Elections for political offices are the bedrock of our system of government. With the coming election on November 8, 2016, mail-in ballots and official election materials prepared by election officials are now entering the mailstream. This volume is expected to continue to grow over the coming weeks. During this time, it is critical that we maintain our usual high level of service to ensure that all political mail and election mail is processed and delivered as timely as possible to prevent any negative impact on election results or the Postal Service.

Here’s what you need to know about Official Election Mail:

• Election mail is any piece created by an Election Official that is mailed to or from a citizen of the United Stated for the purpose of participating in the voting process. It includes:
  • absentee ballots
  • vote-by-mail ballots
  • other balloting related materials
  • voter registration cards
  • polling place notifications
  • voter reply mail
• Election officials are encouraged to use the Official Election Mail™ logo on their election mail to help distinguish it from other mail. The logo is a registered trademark that election officials have the option of using to give their mail greater visibility while in the mailstream. The logo may be printed in black, blue, or red ink.

Election officials are encouraged to use Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In Ballots, to identify ballot mail while it’s in the mailstream. (Note: Tag 191 is to be used only to identify ballots. It should not be used to identify containers of other types of official election mail, such as polling place notices, vote registration notices, or other ballot related materials.)

• After the ballot mail has been fully processed, Tag 191 should be removed from trays and sacks and retained for reuse.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Be alert for the green Tag 191 which identifies ballot mail.
• Be alert for the Official Election Mail logo that is used to identify individual pieces of election mail. The logo may be printed in black, blue, or red ink.
• Promptly handle all ballot and official election mailings and give each one equal care and attention.
• Immediately report any problems with ballot mail or official election mail to your supervisor. Supervisors are to report problems to the District Election 2016 Coordinator.