Universal Postal Union Issue

Important Mailing Information for 2019 General Election

Dear Voter:
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a worldwide body that establishes and agrees on international postal rates. The U.S. has announced it may pull out of UPU. If we do, there will be no agreement for mail to be delivered to or from our country to any other country after October 16, 2019. The federal government will have to negotiate with 191 countries on postal rates. Although the U.S. Postal Service and others have been working on contingency plans, those plans are unlikely to be in place in time for military and overseas citizen (UOCAVA) voters to return their ballots in time for the November 2019 elections. Your best option may be to make sure your ballot is in the mail in plenty of time to make it to the U.S. before October 16, 2019.

How to return your ballot before October 16

You may have these options for returning your marked ballot:

• International postal mail, if it is generally reliable where you are. Make sure you do it far enough in advance that your ballot is likely to leave the country in time to make it to the U.S. by October 16.
• Military Post Offices
• As in past years, all American voters can drop off their ballots and official election materials at U.S. Embassies and Consulates for onward mailing to your election official.

How to return your ballot after October 16

If the U.S. pulls out of the Universal Postal Union and the withdrawal goes into effect on October 16, you won’t be able to mail your ballot back to your home jurisdiction. Here are some options to check:

• APO and FPO mail for members of the military on bases will still operate. Check with your installation for recommended dates to make sure your ballot gets back to the U.S. in time.
• There may be agreements in place for mail to flow between the U.S. and some countries (check at www.FVAP.gov/upu).
• Private carriers may be available, but they’re expensive. Discounts may be available. See options at www.FVAP.gov/upu.
• You may be able to still use U.S. Embassies and Consulates (check your local Embassy/Consulate website for additional information or see www.USEmbassy.gov to find your closest one).
• Check with your employer. If you work for an American Company, they may make alternate arrangements to deliver mail to the U.S.

For additional information, go to www.FVAP.gov/upu, or call 800-438-8683 for the latest updates and guidance on how best to return your ballot from your current duty station, or foreign country of residence.