Election Mail

Changes and ChallengesJoint Election Officials Liaison Committee

January 7, 2011

Paul Vogel

President and Chief Marketing/Sales Officer

United States Postal Service

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USPS Commitment

• Provide easy access to postal products and services

• Educate USPS employees on the importance of election mail

• Work with state and local Election Officials

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• Voters

–Ballot protected and secure in the mail

–Ballot received with plenty of time to fully consider the candidates and issues

• State and local Election Officials

–Long-term, save government money

• U.S. Postal Service

–Revenue and growth

Why is this important?

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• Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act

• Work with the Dept of Defense and Federal Voting Assistance Program

• Introduce new Express Mail label for Military and Overseas ballots

• Ensure legislation provides for payment

Military & Overseas

ELECTION CLASS MAIL

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Election Class Mail

• Consistent application of eligibility

• First-Class Mail performance

• Simplified mailing standards

• Mailpiece design standards

• Visibility and tracking

• Value pricing

ELECTION CLASS MAIL PROPOSAL

Outbound Requirements

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Any mailpiece created by a state authorized election/ voting registration official and mailed to a citizen of the United States for the purpose of participating in the voting process:

• Ballots

• Sample Ballots

• Election Notices, Pamphlets, Forms

• Polling Place Notifications

• Voter Registration Cards, Applications, etc.

Election Class Mail

Eligibility

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Election Class Mail

• Processed and delivered as First-Class Mail®

• Automation compatible up to 3.3 ounces

• Presented in trays – no sortation required

• Closed to inspection

• Mailpiece Design templates

Mailing Standards

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Election Class Mail

• Official Election Mail logo

• Tag 191 for Domestic and Overseas Ballots

• Intelligent Mail barcode options

– Service Type ID

– Reporting

Visibility and Tracking

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Other Issues

• Consistent application of USPS requirements, rules, and procedures across the country

• First-Class Mail and Standard Mail requirements unchanged

• Return ballots based on First-Class Mail prices

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Outbound Products

NOW

FeatureFirst Class

MailStandard

Mail

Service Standard 1-3 2-9

Base Price by the ounce up to 3.3

Inspection Closed Open

Content Restrictions No Yes

Sortation Yes/No Yes

Pricing Highest Lowest

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Outbound Products

NOW FUTURE

FeatureFirst Class

MailStandard

MailElection

Mail

Service Standard 1-3 2-9 1-3

Base Price by the ounce up to 3.3 up to 3.3

Inspection Closed Open Closed

Content Restrictions No Yes No

Sortation Yes/No Yes No

Pricing Highest Lowest TBD

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Summary

• U.S. Postal Service

– Create new Election Class Mail

– Continue partnership with state and local Election Officials

– Ensure the needs of military and overseas voters are met

– Promote and encourage voting in America

• State and local Election Officials

– Support and expand Vote-by-Mail

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THANK YOU