Background

The 2018 primary season is here and the Postal Service™ is preparing for the November 2018 general election. There will be several congressional, gubernatorial, state, and local races. Thus, proper handling of Election Mail and Political Mail is critical.

Concerns have been raised about how long it takes for Election Mail and Political Mail to reach voters. The Postal Service takes these concerns very seriously. Coast to coast, plans are in place to ensure the timely receipt, processing, and delivery of Election Mail and Political Mail.

Generally, citizens use one of the following three methods to cast their votes:

• A traditional polling place via electronic or paper ballot,
• An absentee paper ballot, or
• Early in-person voting.

Although traditional poll voting is still the preferred method, voting by mail is increasing in popularity across broad segments of the American electorate. In the 2014 midterm federal election, 25 percent of voters cast ballots by mail — an increase of 9.5 percent over the 2010 midterm election.

Source: USPS