Monday, October 19, 2026
Election Mail resources are available
There’s a guide for officials, a video on YouTube and information on Blue
The Postal Service is reminding employees, voters and officials about the various Election Mail resources that are available:
• The Election and Government Mail Services page on Blue has information and resources with links to find area election and government mail specialists;
• The 2026 Guidance on Postmarking Ballots Memorandum and the 2026 General Election Extraordinary Measures Memorandum;
• The 2026-2027 Official Election Mail Guide is a resource for election officials;
• The USPS YouTube channel has a video titled “USPS Delivers Mail for Election Officials;” and
• Customers can visit the Election Mail page at usps.com and the PostalPro website.
The Postal Service recommends that voters who choose to vote by mail plan ahead and mail ballots early.
Election Mail-related security or criminal incidents should be reported to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. Additional resources are available on the law enforcement organization’s Election Mail Security website.
Heroes
Her customer fell off a riding lawn mower
This rural carrier associate came to the rescue of a woman with an injured knee
Rural Carrier Associate Brooke Sherwood was delivering mail in Russells Point, OH, recently when she saw a customer on the ground in her yard.
The customer had fallen off a riding lawn mower and injured her knee so severely that she couldn’t move.
Sherwood stopped and helped the woman into her garage. The employee then turned off the lawn mower and stayed with the customer until she was able to contact her family.
The customer later brought flowers to the Post Office for Sherwood.
“We proudly presented her with the flowers from the customer,” said Postmaster Serina Leistritz, who delivered the flowers to Sherwood while she was on her route. “Brooke delivers more than just the mail — she delivers care and humanity to the community she serves.”
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Oct. 11-17
A ‘Mailin’ It!’ milestone and election season protocols made news
Last week, Link shared the news that the Postal Service’s “Mailin’ It!” podcast recently hit a landmark figure: 1 million downloads.
“I’m glad we hit the million downloads milestone, but I’m never satisfied that this is the best we can do,” said Jeff Marino, manager of USPS digital creative and interactive content. Marino co-hosts the podcast with Karla Kirby, director of USPS compensation programs.
“I will continue to define success by the steady growth of an audience of regular listeners,” he said.
According to podcast search engine Listen Notes, an average podcast will post 21 episodes before becoming inactive; “Mailin’ It!” has published 94 so far and is still going strong.
The latest explores the role the Postal Service played in Cold War civil defense.
It’s election season, and as is its custom, the organization will deploy extraordinary measures — the pull-out-the-stops protocols designed to get all Election Mail-related mailpieces where they need to go in a timely manner — beginning Oct. 24. Link also reported on the color-coded tags used for Election Mail and offered an ethics reminder on the responsibility of employees to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail.
In “Heroes,” Rural Carrier Associate Brooke Sherwood was delivering her route in Russells Point, OH, when she came across a customer who had fallen off her riding mower and twisted her knee.
After turning off the mower and helping the customer into her garage, Sherwood called family members to assist her.
The customer later brought flowers for Sherwood to the Post Office.
“Brooke delivers more than just the mail — she delivers care and humanity to the community she serves,” said Postmaster Serina Leistritz.
Finally, there were stories on the protocol for reporting chemical spills and the recent dedication ceremony for Know the Facts About Fentanyl, the organization’s latest semipostal stamp.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
Check and update tax withholding on PostalEASE
The Postal Service is reminding employees that they are responsible for ensuring that the correct federal, state and local taxes are deducted from their pay.
Employees should adhere to the highest possible ethical standards when it comes to the payment of taxes; doing so avoids penalties and potential tax enforcement action by the Internal Revenue Service.
To check and update federal and state withholding, go to LiteBlue to access the PostalEASE application. There, employees can update their federal W-4 payroll form as well as their state tax payroll form, if applicable.
Those without computer or internet access can call PostalEASE at 1-877-477-3273, Option 1, and follow the instructions.
To update local tax withholding, complete PS Form 4, Employee’s City or County Withholding Certificate, and mail to the HR Shared Service Center, PO Box 970400, Greensboro, NC 27497-0400, or fax it to 651-994-3543.
The Postal Service does not provide tax advice to employees. Employees with questions should contact the IRS or a qualified tax preparer.
More information is available in the Oct. 15 issue of Postal Bulletin.
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What's included
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Election Mail resources are available
There’s a guide for officials, a video on YouTube and information on Blue
-
Heroes
Her customer fell off a riding lawn mower
This rural carrier associate came to the rescue of a woman with an injured knee
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Oct. 11-17
A ‘Mailin’ It!’ milestone and election season protocols made news
-
Brief
Check and update tax withholding on PostalEASE