Daily printout: Oct. 14

The Postal Service has issued guidance to all employees to ensure the proper handling and timely delivery of Election Mail. 

The organization recently published two employee memorandums outlining practices and policies to be followed. 

The documents — 2026 General Election Extraordinary Measures Memorandum and 2026 Guidance on Postmarking Ballots Memorandum — were distributed Oct. 1. 

The two memos provide updated information about the Postal Service’s longstanding policies about the proper handling of Election Mail and reference other guidance distributed throughout the year. 

The postmarking memo describes practices in place during the entire election cycle. The extraordinary measures memo outlines specific actions to be undertaken in support of Election Mail operations from Oct. 24 through Election Day, Nov. 3. The memorandum includes appendices providing specific instruction for Retail and Delivery, Processing and Distribution, and Logistics operations. 

The two memos can be found on the Election and Government Mail Services page on Blue and can also be found at usps.com/electionmail. 

USPS has also distributed employee stand-up talks about handling Election Mail and Political Mail with integrity. 

Additional Election Mail information is available in the 2026 Election and Political Mail Guide in the Oct. 1 edition of Postal Bulletin. 

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors of their duty to protect the sanctity and security of the mail. 

Every day, USPS delivers medications, payments, correspondence, gifts and other important items. Employees should treat each letter and package with care and deliver mail to its destination on time. 

Stealing, delaying or willfully destroying mail erodes the public’s trust in USPS and drives away customers.  

Employees who tamper with the mail can lose their jobs and face criminal prosecution. 

To help preserve the sanctity of the mail, managers and supervisors should: 

• Regularly communicate mail delivery guidelines; 

• Ensure employees have necessary supplies, equipment and training; 

• Be aware of changes in employee behavior; 

• Investigate customer complaints; 

• Monitor undeliverable bulk business mail and mail returned from the street; and 

• Review the Delivery Management System report daily. 

Carriers who are having trouble delivering their assigned routes should speak with a supervisor.  

The Employee Assistance Program is ready to assist Postal Service employees, including those experiencing personal issues that may be affecting their ability to properly perform their job duties.  

Counselors are available 24/7 to provide free, confidential help and can be reached at 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) or EAP4YOU.com. 

For more information on mail sanctity, employees can email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346.  

Mail tampering, destruction or theft should be reported to the USPS Office of Inspector General.