Election Mail Changes and Challenges Joint Election Officials Liaison Committee January 7, 2011 Paul...

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