Vote By Mail
NOTE: In order to make sure your ballot counts, make sure that domestic non military voters mail their ballot at least one week prior to election day to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues and to allow for timely receipt by election officials. For more information check out the USPS Election Mail Kit.
With the 2016 election season underway, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are working together to ensure vote by mail ballots are delivered and counted in the 2016 Presidential election and for elections beyond.
Vote by mail has become an essential element of voting in America, especially for those voters away from home like our military and overseas voters. To better engage State and local election officials regarding the challenges surrounding postal voting EAC is sharing these reports and resources to help election official identify policies, strategies, and procedures for ensuring their vote by mail (VBM) ballots get counted in the 2016 election.
EAC and FVAP Request Meeting with USPS to Prepare for 2016 Election Mail Ballots (12/21/15)
EAC Resources
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
How to Make Sure Your Vote by Mail Ballots Count (01/28/16 list of participants, topics, webisode info)
EAC Webisode Clip (3 minute clip)
EAC Webisode (72 minutes - the full length discussion)
ElectionMail.org is a joint project of Democracy Works and the Bipartisan Policy Center. The website is designed to provide election administrators with:
- information about common election mail problems, and
- an easy way to report any problems they encounter.
If you experience a problem with election mail, submit a report on ElectionMail.org as soon as possible. Include as much detail in your report as you can, but don't worry if you can't answer every question on the form - you'll be contacted if more information is necessary. ElectionMail.org submissions will be shared with the USPS, but issues should also be reported to the local postmaster and/or regional election mail coordinator in your area.
ElectionMail.org: A new tool for Election Officials (One page flyer)
FVAP Resources
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Overview on Sending Ballots to UOCAVA Voters
Tips on Preparing Election Mail and Sending Ballots
UOCAVA Address Maintenance for Local Election Officials
USPS Resources
United States Postal Service
Election Mail Postal Updates (8-17-16)
Industry Alerts and Notices
Industry Alert Archives
Industry Alert email communications inform industry Stakeholders about important information regarding USPS webinars, promotions, products, and other news. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Industry Alert mailing list, please contact IndustryAlert@usps.gov.
Federal Register Notices
Federal Register notices filed by the Product Classification department of the United States Postal Service are listed on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com.
Service Alerts
USPS Service Alerts communicate information to consumers, small businesses and business mailers about postal facility service disruptions due to weather-related and other natural disasters or events. Service alerts are done in near real time.
USPS NOTICE: Exigent Rollback
About Election Mail
Election Mail Kit
Postal Customer Council (Get Involved & Grow)
National Postal Forum: Political and Election Mail Workshop (PowerPoint)
2016 National Postal Forum: Address Quality 101 (PowerPoint)
2016 Official Election Mail Communications Plan (Postal Bulletin)
Live from the 2016 National Postal Forum...
Vote by Mail: for Voters (Panel discussion 1 of 3)
Vote by Mail: for Vendors & Industry (Panel discussion 2 of 3)
Vote by Mail: for Election Administrators (Panel discussion 3 of 3)
Consult With Your Local Postal Service Coordinator
Creating Election Mail
Section VIll: Election Mail Checklist
Election Mail Checklist (PDF)
Requirements and Tips for Handling Official Election Mail
Colorado
Colorado Secretary of State
Mail Ballot Plan (Election Policy Manual, Chapter 4: Mail Ballot Elections)
Ballot Processing (Election Policy Manual, Chapter 8: Ballot Processing and Voter Intent)
City and County of Denver
Ballot Cycle (graphic with interactive steps that explain each step in the process)
Video: Denver Voter Information (mail ballot process and election model)
eBinder Ballot Processing Procedures (comprehensive collection of election office ballot processing procedures)
Complete Ballot Packet for Voters (with most recent instructions, envelopes, etc.)
Ohio
Ohio Secretary of State
Directive on Absentee Ballots