Political Mail
Get Your Message to Voters
Political Mail is an easy way to promote candidates and get messages to voters. Flyers, brochures, letters, and postcards are cost-effective, memorable ways to explain a platform, referendum, question, or campaign.
Political Mail vs. Official Election Mail
Political Mail
Political Mail may be sent from a political candidate, federal, state or local campaign committee, or political party.
Official Election Mail
The Postal Service™ has a number of resources to assist election officials. For the upcoming 2020 election, see details on vote-by-mail service standards, mailpiece design, the official Election Mail logo, prepaid reply mail, and more
Why Political Mail Works
Political Direct Mail is one of the most powerful ways to share accurate campaign messages with voters.
Cost-effective
Save money by mailing to specific areas or addresses and by using inexpensive formats such as postcards.
Targetable
Send mail to voters based on age, household income, and geographic location with Every Door Direct Mail®.
Personalized
Craft messages and graphics to tell an impactful story about your candidate or campaign.
Ways to Send Political Mail
USPS® offers several ways to send political direct mail to your target audience. See which option would be best to deliver your message.
Every Door Direct Mail
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM®) is a service from the Postal Service™ that allows you to mail to entire routes, as opposed to individual addresses. EDDM also allows campaigns to:
- Target entire cities, ZIP Codes™, neighborhoods, or individual mail routes.
- Avoid buying expensive address lists or sending mailings to people outside of your constituency.
- Save money with low per-piece postage costs for a USPS Marketing Mail® Flat, that still provides plenty of space for your message details.
First-Class Mail
Use First-Class Mail® service for things like personalized letters, fundraising invitations, or any communications with a personal touch. Pay one price for up to 3.5 ounces on presort or automated Commercial First-Class Mail letters and cards.
USPS Marketing Mail
USPS Marketing Mail is ideal for sending political postcards, printed flyers, advertisements, or newsletters. Certain restrictions apply, so review the guidelines to make sure your mailpiece is eligible.
Preparing Political Mail
Designing Political Mail
Design your own or schedule a meeting with a USPS Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) near you for advice and assistance on how to design your mailpiece and business reply return envelopes to USPS standards.
Contact the MDA Support Center by calling 1-855-593-6093 (Monday–Friday, 7 AM–5 PM CT) or by emailing mda@usps.gov.
Addressing Political Mail
Before you send your political mailing, make sure your address lists are complete and correct. The right addresses aren’t just important for timely delivery; accurate addresses can help you manage mailing costs.
On our portal for large mailers, you can learn about a number of products and services, including software, to keep address lists up-to-date.
Reporting & Dropping Off Political Mail
Create Mailing Notice
- 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.
- 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.
USPS Political Mail Support
- 2020 USPS Election and Political Mail Coordinators XLS (34 KB)
- For additional information, email electionmailprogrammanager@usps.gov.
Helpful Resources for Political Mail
- Tag 57, Political Campaign Mail PDF (242 KB)
- Informed Visibility Mail Tracking and Reporting
- Informed Visibility® Mail Tracking and Reporting (IV®-MTR) Fact Sheet (from KIT 600) PDF (2MB) | HTM
- Steps to Creating Your Intelligent Mail® Barcode (IMb®) Fact Sheet (from KIT 600) PDF (2MB) | HTM
- OneCode ACS®
- Nonprofit Qualified Political Committees and State or Local Voting Registration Officials, DMM 703.1.3
- Mail Security RTF (48 KB)
- Why Print Still Works in a Digital World PDF (685 KB) | RTF (42 MB)