Federal Register #2026-10968

USPS Proposed Standards for Federal Election Ballot Mail

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is proposing new regulatory standards for the handling of mail-in and absentee ballots in federal elections. - Government Buyer: - United States Postal Service (USPS) - OEMs and Vendors: - USPS is the only organization mentioned; no external OEMs or vendors are referenced - Products/Services Requested: - No specific products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory proposal - Focus is on operational standards for ballot mail, not on purchasing goods or services - Notable Requirements: - Uniform standards for ballot envelope design and use of the official Election Mail logo - Mandatory use of uniquely serialized Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) on ballot envelopes - Automation compatibility and mailpiece design review required - States must use a Federal Ballot Mail Portal to enroll voters and manage participation lists - Technical instructions for barcode creation and data submission - Compliance with privacy regulations - No contract value, product line items, or service line items are associated with this notice - Primary place of performance and government office: USPS Headquarters, Washington, DC

Description

The Postal Service is proposing to amend the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), regarding the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections pursuant to its rulemaking authority. The proposed rule aims to establish uniform standards for mailing absentee ballots to facilitate enforcement of federal law and implement best practices for Postal Service operations regarding ballot mail. It includes requirements for envelope design, barcode placement, and the use of a Federal Ballot Mail Portal for state enrollment and participation lists. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by July 2, 2026.

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