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Design & Visibility

Panel 2

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Getting Started with Prepaid Reply Mail

James Duffy | May 18, 2022

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Prepaid Mail Options

Business Reply Mail
Qualified Business Reply Mail
Permit Reply Mail
Metered Reply Mail
Stamps

State and local elections officials are increasingly using mail-in ballots to administer federal, state, and local elections. In some cases, the state requires return Ballot envelopes to have prepaid postage, so the voter incurs no cost for mailing their ballot. In these cases, state and local officials may choose to offer their voters one of the prepaid reply mail options such as:

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Intelligent Mail barcode Accounting (IMbA) – Automated Invoicing for QBRM

IMbA is a system that leverages Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb®) to process Qualified Business Reply Mail™ (QBRM™).

Incoming Return mailpieces are scanned throughout the Postal Network on Mail Processing Equipment which:

Calculates quantities/Piece counts
Calculates pricing
Creates invoices that are automatically loaded to PostalOne!®
Collects payment from the customer

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Intelligent Mail barcode Accounting (IMbA) – Automated Invoicing for QBRM

All QBRM-eligible products can participate in Automated IMbA processing including:

Postcards
1-oz Letter
2 oz

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Intelligent Mail barcode for Election Mail Visibility

An IMb using one unique STID, MID, matching serial number, and a unique registered 9-digit routing code (ZIP) for use on all returning ballot mail (mailed First-Class) to the Local Election Offices results in enhanced sorting options and visibility.

An IMb using defined STIDs, MID, and matching serial number for use on all outgoing election/ballot mail provides essential visibility. For best results, use the full (11-digit) routing code whenever possible.

Outgoing Election, Ballot Mail

Returning Ballot Mail

Registered LEO

Matching Serial Number

Return STID

Assigned MID

Recipient / Voter Address

Matching Serial Number

Defined STID

Assigned MID

Note: A MID can be either 6 or 9 digits, which impacts the length of the serial number.

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Getting Started Reply Mail Options�

Contact the Mailing & Shipping Solution Center (MSSC) at: MSSCadmin@usps.gov or 1-877-672-0007
Complete and submit PS Form 3615
Require each election jurisdiction to submit PS Form 6805 BRM/QBRM Application for ZIP+4 Code
Create an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) Account
Link all subaccounts to the EPS Account
Pay applicable fees
Submit 10 sample mailpieces to MDA@usps.gov

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Getting Started Reply Mail Options

Contact MSSC at MSSCadmin@usps.gov

1-877-672-0007

Contact

Apply

Pay

Design

Mail

1

2

3

4

Complete application PS Forms 3615 & 6805

5

Consult with MDA at mda@usps.gov to create mailpiece design*

Pay fees online with EPS account or at your local post office

Prepare to send outgoing ballots

Contact email must be person who needs to receive artwork for mailpiece design

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Getting Started Outgoing Ballot Mail Options ��

Getting Started Outgoing Mailpiece

Election Officials should ensure that the design of the outgoing mailpiece is compatible with USPS processing network.
Election Officials should consult with a Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) prior to printing any outgoing pieces.
Once the mailpiece design has been completed you can enlist your printer to start the outgoing piece printing.
Consider using a Mail Service Provider (MSP)

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Work with MDA at mda@usps.gov to create mailpiece design

Print

1

2

3

4

Print mailpieces

according to guidelines

Present and pay for mailing at post office where permit is held

Prepare mailing for commercial prices

Design

Mail

Prepare

Getting Started Outgoing Ballot Mail Options

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ELECTION MAIL DESIGN & VISIBILITY

via Informed Visibility^® �Mail Tracking & Reporting

Steve Jones | May 18, 2022

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Welcome to today’s session: The Power of Informed Visibility is surging through the industry – Delivering real-time, intelligent analytics to users across the nation! It is our mission to make every mailing effective and keep every customer informed.
In today’s presentation, we’ll take a deep-dive look into IV Mail Tracking & Reporting and the powerful tools it provides to the mailing industry.
As some of you already know, IV can add tremendous value to your business by giving you greater insight into where, when, and how your mailings travel through the mailstream.
The idea of information creating business value is not new. However, the effective use of that information is the basis of competition for businesses around world – A world where access to real-time information is changing the way the Postal Service operates.
With continued dedication, we are making strides to improve the way information is received and increase visibility into mail. Through advancements in the way we use technology to receive and send data, the USPS, our customers, and our mutual customers can make better, smarter, real-time, fact-based decisions.
The Postal Service continues to invest in next generation technologies to enhance the way we collect information, store and report data, and provide “end-to-end” visibility for mail.
IV is critical to the Postal Service as it enhances the way we do business. It gives our workforce and customers expanded visibility into the mail as it moves through the mailstream. And, it’s available to all mailers who are interested in receiving powerful, data-driven, near real-time information.

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Election Mail Visibility

FACING THE FUTURE together | NPF PHOENIX 2022

Welcome to today’s session: The Power of Informed Visibility is surging through the industry – Delivering real-time, intelligent analytics to users across the nation! It is our mission to make every mailing effective and keep every customer informed.
In today’s presentation, we’ll take a deep-dive look into IV Mail Tracking & Reporting and the powerful tools it provides to the mailing industry.
As some of you already know, IV can add tremendous value to your business by giving you greater insight into where, when, and how your mailings travel through the mailstream.
The idea of information creating business value is not new. However, the effective use of that information is the basis of competition for businesses around world – A world where access to real-time information is changing the way the Postal Service operates.
With continued dedication, we are making strides to improve the way information is received and increase visibility into mail. Through advancements in the way we use technology to receive and send data, the USPS, our customers, and our mutual customers can make better, smarter, real-time, fact-based decisions.
The Postal Service continues to invest in next generation technologies to enhance the way we collect information, store and report data, and provide “end-to-end” visibility for mail.
IV is critical to the Postal Service as it enhances the way we do business. It gives our workforce and customers expanded visibility into the mail as it moves through the mailstream. And, it’s available to all mailers who are interested in receiving powerful, data-driven, near real-time information.

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Political & Election Mail Visibility: 2020 Election Stats

PIECES ELECTION MAIL

543 MILLION

INCREASE OVER 2016

96%

BALLOTS TO/FROM VOTERS IN GENERAL ELECTION

135 MILLION

DELIVERED FROM VOTERS TO ELECTION OFFICIALS WITHIN 7 DAYS

99.89%

DELIVERED FROM VOTERS TO ELECTION OFFICIALS WITHIN 3 DAYS

97.90%

PIECES POLITICAL MAIL

4 BILLION

The US Postal Service has a long history as a trusted partner in our nation’s democratic process.

DAYS AVG FROM ELECTION OFFICIALS TO VOTERS

2.1

DAYS AVG FROM VOTERS �TO ELECTION OFFICIALS

1.6

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Election Mail success is in part driven by planning and people, also driven by scan data. Visibility drives effectiveness. It also drives trust and confidence.
[click] In the 2020 election cycle, the Postal Service delivered more than four billion pieces of Political Mail

[click] 76 percent increase over the amount of political mail delivered in the 2016 election cycle

[click] Delivered roughly 543 million pieces of Election Mail

[click] 96 percent increase over the amount of election mail delivered in 2016

[click] At least 135 million Ballots to or from voters in the general election alone

Likely far more than that, as that figure includes only those ballots that could be identified and tracked in the system as ballots through the use of ballot-specific identifiers
Figure excludes ballots for which extraordinary measures were employed in many instances
[click] 99.89 percent of ballots delivered from voters to election officials within 7 days / [click] 97.9 within 3 days
[click] 2.1 days average from election officials to voters / [click] 1.6 days from voters to election officials

USPS used MTR data for operational effectiveness, staffing, etc. Industry provided status and counting to make ballot mail more transparent to voters.
Ongoing efforts around process improvements, industry engagement, future election preparations, visibility and tracking implications

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Election Mail Visibility—through Informed Visibility® Mail Tracking & Reporting�

Detailed visibility into mailings:

Increases the value of mail
Provides near real-time visibility when a return ballot enters the mailstream
Enables BOEs to:

Better plan mailings
Better manage election activities
Better allocate resources

Provisions near real-time data to any device, any location.

Provides mailers comprehensive end-to-end visibility

Improved ease of use for mailers through flexible data provisioning

Instills confidence in the Election Mail voter for the safety and security of their ballot

?

Your Ballot Status

Requested

Sent

On the way

Received!

NOTE: Most “Extraordinary Measures” to meet service and/or deadlines preclude scanning—which means visibility is lost.

Improve your Visibility & Analytics

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IV Mail Tracking & Reporting (MTR) connects BOEs with their data in near real-time, from virtually any device and any location.
MTR provides mailers with complete visibility and tracking across the mail supply chain, from acceptance to delivery.

Mailers are able to track letters and flats, and the associated mail aggregates such as bundles, handling units, containers, and transportation, through IV.
MTR leverages carrier device geo-location information to give mailers powerful insight into when mail is delivered.
And, it provides users with near real-time mail tracking data, flexible data provisioning, and flexible data delegation options in an easy-to-use web application.

Ultimately, IV improves ease of use by providing flexible data provisioning, allowing the user to get what data they want, when they want, and how they want it.

IV provides one-time queries and data feeds in a variety of file formats and delivery methods.
We have also released APIs that facilitate users building a mobile app or web service to interface with the IV-MTR system for single IMb information and receive campaign or job information delivered to their application.

How can IV-MTR help election officials?

IV-MTR provides election officials with near real-time and expanded visibility of mailpieces as they move through the mailstream.
Enables Local Election Offices (LEO) to track delivery of official election mail and ballots to registered voters to better manage election activities
Provides the LEO with near real-time visibility of when a return ballot enters the mail network and helps anticipate delivery date
These updates enable election officials to better plan Election Mail resources based on visibility into incoming mail volumes.
And it helps instill confidence in the Vote-by-Mail voter of the safety and security of their ballot being handled by the USPS as a trusted partner.

The data we’re providing you is scan data. Unless your mail requires sorting and thus receives a scan, there will be little to no visibility.

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Using Informed Visibility® Tracking Data

What

Track data such as anticipated delivery dates, filtered by mail object type, handling events, MIDs, routing codes, etc.
Receive files in the format of your choosing

Where

Your organization can ingest data and determine how you would like to form reports:

Election officials can analyze this data to determine the location and delivery date for mailpieces and better manage election office activities
If your organization does not have appropriate resources to set up its own reporting system for the tracking data, you can partner with a third-party organization to set up dashboards and reports for you
IV-MTR allows you to share your mail tracking data securely with other organizations using a feature called data delegation

When

Perform one-time queries—or set up recurring data feeds as often as once-per-minute!
You can also access your data nimbly and just-in-time via APIs

What you want, where you want it, when you want it…

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One of the questions we’ve received is, “What type of tracking reporting is available to the mailer with an IMb on the mailpiece?”
Note: IV-MTR provides data, not reporting.
IV-MTR allows mailers to perform one-time queries or set up recurring data feeds to receive tracking data such as anticipated delivery dates, mail object type, handling events, MIDs, routing codes, etc.

Election officials can analyze this data to determine the location and delivery date for mailpieces and better manage election office activities.

Tracking data is provided as a list of records in a file format of your choosing. Your organization can then ingest the data and determine how you would like to form reports with it.
This data can be accessed directly through the IV-MTR application, or you can have the data delivered to your server.
If your organization does not have the resources and experience to set up its own reporting system for IV-MTR tracking data, you can partner with a third-party organization to set up dashboards and reports for you.
IV-MTR allows you to share your mail tracking data securely with other organizations using a feature called data delegation.
IV-MTR is built to be flexible and easy to manage. That said, the application is robust and will require some level of sophistication to produce analytics from the data reports provisioned.

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Election Mail Visibility through IV^®-MTR

Implications of Full-Service mailing on Election Mail visibility

Help us help you.

eDoc

Pallet scanned

Scan assumed to each nested tray or bundle…

…Assumed down to individual piece

Full-Service provides nesting associations which enable IV-MTR logic:

Assume the container, tray, and bundle scans down to the piece level
Enable near-real-time, piece-level visibility throughout the network—not limited to individual piece scans
From acceptance to stop-the-clock or logical delivery

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One of the most powerful aspects of IV-MTR is that it provides unprecedented visibility through assumed and logical handling events.
The system leverages the intelligence of Full-Service Intelligent Mail^® and nesting associations to create assumed handling events for nested mail whenever the mail aggregate is scanned.
Scan data generated as the Intelligent Mail barcodes are scanned by automated processing equipment and handheld scanners, together with nesting associations and geo-location data, allows mailers to pinpoint individual mailpieces, even when only the containers or tubs they are travelling in are scanned. Mailers can also determine when a mailpiece has been delivered based GPS location of carrier on their delivery routes.
Single Pieces are assigned a Unique Piece ID upon initial processing in the USPS network even if they have non-unique barcodes preprinted.
Those unique pieces can then be tracked based on barcode content or Destinating Routing Code (9 or 11 digit ZIP) via Data Feed or One-Time Query (OTQ).
IV-MTR also allows mailers to determine when and where incoming reply mailpieces (such as payments or orders) were entered and plan resources around their receipt based on expected volume.

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Election Mail Visibility through IV^®-MTR

Best Practices

Mailpiece Design Review
Full Service on Outbound Ballots, and…

Understanding How Intelligent Mail® Barcode (IMb) Can Add to Visibility of Ballots

Appropriate Service Type Identifier (STID)

Allows identification of Ballot Mail in mailstream for USPS and BOEs
Defines the mailpiece relative to disposition of Undeliverable-As-Addressed (UAA) mail, as well as any Address Correction(s) initiated by the mailer

Unique/Delivery Point routing (ZIP) code in IMb—Enables visibility to Stop-the-Clock event
Unique IMb leveraging serialization—Allows tracking to/from individual voter

Help us help you.

Visit:

https://postalpro.usps.gov/mailing/intelligent-mail-barcode

NOTE: Return ballots may be finalized before stop-the-clock event is captured.

FACING THE FUTURE together | NPF PHOENIX 2022

One of the most powerful aspects of IV-MTR is that it provides unprecedented visibility through assumed and logical handling events.
The system leverages the intelligence of Full-Service Intelligent Mail^® and nesting associations to create assumed handling events for nested mail whenever the mail aggregate is scanned.
Scan data generated as the Intelligent Mail barcodes are scanned by automated processing equipment and handheld scanners, together with nesting associations and geo-location data, allows mailers to pinpoint individual mailpieces, even when only the containers or tubs they are travelling in are scanned. Mailers can also determine when a mailpiece has been delivered based GPS location of carrier on their delivery routes.
Single Pieces are assigned a Unique Piece ID upon initial processing in the USPS network even if they have non-unique barcodes preprinted.
Those unique pieces can then be tracked based on barcode content or Destinating Routing Code (9 or 11 digit ZIP) via Data Feed or One-Time Query (OTQ).
IV-MTR also allows mailers to determine when and where incoming reply mailpieces (such as payments or orders) were entered and plan resources around their receipt based on expected volume.

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Election Mail Visibility through IV^®-MTR

2021 & 2022 Improvements to the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb) related to Election Mail

Added Service Type Identifiers (STIDs) for Ballot Mail and Political Mail for better visibility

Ballot Mail: 4
Political Mail: 28

Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb) changes related to Election Mail

Outbound Ballot Mail

Use appropriate Ballot Mail STID for First-Class Mail^® Ballots or Marketing Mail^® Ballots and desired services

Return Ballots

Use appropriate Ballot Returns STID for payment method

STID Table:

https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers

FACING THE FUTURE together | NPF PHOENIX 2022

One of the most powerful aspects of IV-MTR is that it provides unprecedented visibility through assumed and logical handling events.
The system leverages the intelligence of Full-Service Intelligent Mail^® and nesting associations to create assumed handling events for nested mail whenever the mail aggregate is scanned.
Scan data generated as the Intelligent Mail barcodes are scanned by automated processing equipment and handheld scanners, together with nesting associations and geo-location data, allows mailers to pinpoint individual mailpieces, even when only the containers or tubs they are travelling in are scanned. Mailers can also determine when a mailpiece has been delivered based GPS location of carrier on their delivery routes.
Single Pieces are assigned a Unique Piece ID upon initial processing in the USPS network even if they have non-unique barcodes preprinted.
Those unique pieces can then be tracked based on barcode content or Destinating Routing Code (9 or 11 digit ZIP) via Data Feed or One-Time Query (OTQ).
IV-MTR also allows mailers to determine when and where incoming reply mailpieces (such as payments or orders) were entered and plan resources around their receipt based on expected volume.

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Access & Support

Business Customer Gateway (BCG)

Register for a FREE account at www.gateway.usps.gov
Sign up for the IV Service under the Mailing Service menu

IV^® PostalPro

Apply for Access to IV-MTR
IV Mail Tracking & Reporting �User Guide
IV Mail.XML Guide
IV External Facing Data Dictionary
Many more resources!

IV Solutions Center^®

Direct questions or concerns to the IV Solutions Center at:

InformedVisibility@usps.gov

or

1 (800) 238-3150�select option #2

1.800.238.3150, Option #2

postalpro.usps.com/informedvisibility

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20

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL

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Testimonial: 2020 Elections

600 K

Keeping Citizens Informed in the 2020 Election

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[click] The City of Chicago Board of Elections sent out more than 600,000 absentee ballots in order to keep citizens safe during the pandemic. This was a vast increase from earlier years.
[click] In order to maintain the integrity of the election, they worked through their mail service provider to apply unique Intelligent Mail barcodes to both the outgoing ballots being sent to the voters—and to ballots sent back to the Board of Elections.
[click] As an additional step, the City of Chicago provided each voter a unique web link where the voter could view the details of their ballot’s journey, both to the voter and back to the Election Board.
[click] Leveraging IV-MTR data, in combination with their internal processes, the City could oversee the delivery and return of ballots, and every voter could check their ballot status.
[click] Scan rates were exceptional, and voters were delighted.
[click] After the election, the Board of Election reported receiving hundreds of emails from citizens thanking them for adding this layer of accountability to the election process.

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Mailpiece Design

Michael Conley | May 18, 2022

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Mailpiece Design Analysts

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Election Mail Design – Outgoing Mailpieces ��

OEM Logo Placement, Clearance and Size Requirements

Postage Payment Requirements

Address and IMb Placement Requirements

NOT TO SCALE

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Election Mail Design – Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM)

Placement Requirements for FIM and Postage. Clearance requirements for Exclusion Zone

OEM Logo Placement, Size and Clearance Requirements

Address and IMB Placement Requirements

NOT TO SCALE

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Election Mail Design – Business Reply Mail (BRM) and Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)

Business Reply Mail Legend Requirements

Placement Requirements for FIM and postage. Clearance requirements for Exclusion Zone

Address and IMb Placement Requirements

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Images of Mailpieces with Design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces.

Postnet

Address Block

Barcodes contained two different addresses

Exclusion Zone.
Postmark may not be legible

IMb

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Images of mailpieces with design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces.��

Address Block

�

Address in the barcode clear zone (5/8” from bottom and 4-3/4” from right edge.
USPS will apply a barcode in this area.

USPS applied barcode

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Images of mailpieces with design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces.��

Thumb Notch

Caused damage on automated equipment

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Images of Mailpieces with Design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces. ��

No FIM or barcode.
Poor ink quality
Not 5/8 from the bottom edge.

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Images of Mailpieces with Design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces. ��

Board of Elections

100 Main St.

Anytown, USA 123456

No FIM or barcode
Address not left justified
Hand-written
Address not 1/2” from right edge.

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Images of Mailpieces with Design Issues. Causing delays or damage to mailpieces.

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Evaluating and Designing Election Mailpieces.

Resources:

Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) Help Desk

Mailpiece evaluations and artwork for reply mail pieces

Email: mda@usps.gov

Phone: 877.672.0007, Option 2, Option 2

Hours: 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Central Time

Business Customer Gateway

https://gateway.usps.com/

Automated Business Reply Mail (ABRM) Tool

Online creation of reply mail artwork.

Available 24hrs/7per week.

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Designing Mail Ballot Envelopes

Whitney Quesenbery, Center for Civic Design

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Why can’t mail ballot envelopes be easier for voters to return?

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Envelopes have a lot of jobs to do

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The basic design: recognisable, visible, readable

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Designed for postal visibility

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Designed to help voters be successful

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New challenges for �envelope layouts in 2022

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Witnesses & assistant signature forms

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Concerns about privacy for signatures

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Windows & codes for quality checks during mail processing

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Why not give mail ballot envelopes a visual identity that stands out?��And works for everyone.

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We work with election offices and organizations nationwide
We develop research-based design principles for forms, ballots, mail-ballot materials and other election materials
To create an excellent voter experience

Democracy is a design problem

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Q&A

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APPENDIX

Welcome to today’s session: The Power of Informed Visibility is surging through the industry – Delivering real-time, intelligent analytics to users across the nation! It is our mission to make every mailing effective and keep every customer informed.
In today’s presentation, we’ll take a deep-dive look into IV Mail Tracking & Reporting and the powerful tools it provides to the mailing industry.
As some of you already know, IV can add tremendous value to your business by giving you greater insight into where, when, and how your mailings travel through the mailstream.
The idea of information creating business value is not new. However, the effective use of that information is the basis of competition for businesses around world – A world where access to real-time information is changing the way the Postal Service operates.
With continued dedication, we are making strides to improve the way information is received and increase visibility into mail. Through advancements in the way we use technology to receive and send data, the USPS, our customers, and our mutual customers can make better, smarter, real-time, fact-based decisions.
The Postal Service continues to invest in next generation technologies to enhance the way we collect information, store and report data, and provide “end-to-end” visibility for mail.
IV is critical to the Postal Service as it enhances the way we do business. It gives our workforce and customers expanded visibility into the mail as it moves through the mailstream. And, it’s available to all mailers who are interested in receiving powerful, data-driven, near real-time information.

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49

IMb Election Mail Visibility

An IMb using one unique STID, MID, matching serial number, and a unique registered 9-digit routing code (ZIP) for use on all returning ballot mail (mailed First-Class) to the Local Election Offices results in enhanced sorting options and visibility.

An IMb using defined STIDs, MID, and matching serial number for use on all outgoing election/ballot mail provides essential visibility. For best results, use the full (11-digit) routing code whenever possible.

Outgoing Election, Ballot Mail

Returning Ballot Mail

Registered LEO

Matching Serial Number

Return STID

Assigned MID

Recipient / Voter Address

Matching Serial Number

Defined STID

Assigned MID

For assistance with IMbs, contact your Mail Design Analyst (MDA) or visit the USPS PostalPro™ website for comprehensive guides to the IMb (link provided in appendix).

For Outgoing Election/Ballot Mail, an IMb using defined STIDs, MID, and matching serial number for use on all outgoing election/ballot mail provides essential visibility. For best results, use the full (11-digit) routing code whenever possible.
For Returning Ballot Mail, an IMb using one unique STID, MID, matching serial number(to specific voters) , and a unique registered 9-digit routing code (ZIP) for use on all returning ballot mail (mailed First-Class) to the Local Election Offices results in enhanced visibility.

For best results, the routing code on ballots should not be shared with any other mail, including other election mail, tax returns, auto tags, etc.

The Intelligent Mail Barcode is essential to providing visibility of the mail. Without the IMb, mailers cannot easily track their mail. IMbs power the tracking service available to mailers, called the Informed Visibility Mail Tracking & Reporting application.
If you have questions about how to put together an IMb, contact your Mail Design Analyst (MDA) or visit the PostalPro site listed in the appendix.

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Official Ballot Mail is any Ballot Material mailed to or from authorized local election officials or Boards of Elections (BOE) that enables citizens to vote.

Leveraging specified Ballot STIDs in IV-MTR data provides visibility into ballot mail.

Service Type Identifiers (STIDs):

Outbound Ballot Mail

Use appropriate Ballot Mail STID for First-Class Mail^® Ballots or Marketing Mail^® Ballots and services desired

Return Ballots

Use appropriate Ballot Returns STID for payment method

NOTE: Use the “Election Mail” attribute in eDoc for ALL election mail.

Ballot Mail STIDs are reserved for ballots ONLY.

Official Ballot Mail Tracking

STID Table:

https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers

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STIDS for Ballot Mail and Political Mail

STID Table:

https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers

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Election Mail (Not Ballots)

STID Table:

https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers

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Intelligent Mail^® Barcode

Service Type Identifiers (STIDs)

Defines The Mailpiece Relative To :

Full-service or Basic (Non-automation)
Determining the Disposition of Undeliverable-As-Addressed (UAA) Mail
Address Correction that a Mailer Desires if Any

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Resources:

The USPS Election Mail Website contains the information that election officials need for success in an election.

On the site, you can find:

KIT 600
Publication 631
Publication 632
Mailpiece design tips
Vote By Mail best practices
Contact information for your Area Lead and District Election Mail Coordinators

Visit:

https://about.usps.com/gov-services/election-mail

Visit:

https://about.usps.com/kits/kit600.pdf

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Intelligent Mail^® Barcode

Resources

For assistance with creating IMBs, contact your Mail Design Analyst (MDA) or visit the IMb PostalPro page at:

Available Information Includes:

Service Type Identifiers (STIDs)
Intelligent Mail® Barcode FAQs
Intelligent Mail® Barcode Technical Resource Guide
Intelligent Mail® Barcodes Planning Tool
Secure Destruction
Get Business Mail Training
IMb Decoder/Encoder

Visit:

https://postalpro.usps.gov/mailing/intelligent-mail-barcode

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Decoder/Encoder

Decoder/Encoder Available at:

Intelligent Mail^® Barcode

Visit:

https://postalpro.usps.gov/tools/encoder

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Image Attribution

57

SLIDE	Source
4, 5, 6, 9, 11	Michael Pawlak – graphic designer on contract with USPS to support communications; graphics on these slides were created by Mr. Pawlak for use by USPS
3	Legacy USPS presentations
2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13	USPS Stock/Registered Images
3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21	Microsoft PowerPoint in-app icons, shapes, and drawing tools