Effective January 21, 2024, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), sections 507.1.5.1 and 507.1.5.3, to reflect the Postal Service removing “Change Service Requested” as an ancillary service endorsement option for Ballot Mail.
The Postal Service notice of proposed rulemaking focused on removing “Change Service Requested,” Option 1. “Change Service Requested,” Option 2, was not originally included because “Change Service Requested,” Option 2, was never associated with Ballot Mail Service Type Identifiers (STIDs), the three-digit numeric code used within the Intelligent Mail® barcode on a mailpiece that identifies the address correction or other electronic services desired. Only “Change Service Requested,” Option 1, was available for use.
However, both “Change Service Requested,” Options 1 and 2, permit all mailpieces that are undeliverable as addressed to be disposed of, and it is against Postal Service policy to dispose of any ballot mailpiece.
Ballot Mail that is undeliverable as addressed must be forwarded to the voter if a “Change-of-Address” notice is on file or returned to the election office that sent the Ballot Mail.
The Postal Service believes these standards, which become effective January 21, 2024, will provide a more efficient mailing experience.