1. Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
11/6/2018
Voter Registration Applications & Postage
Louri O’Leary & Dan Glotzer
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

2. Texas Secretary of State
Overview
Voter Registration Applications
2016 Voter Registration Applications Redesign
The Application Process & Postage Costs
United States Post Office (USPS) Mail Kit
ELECTIONMAIL.org
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

3. Voter Registration Applications
How are Voter Registration Applications Designed?
USPS Dimensions
SOS supplies PDFs: Code 17s, 42s (English and Spanish)
NVRA Agencies: Code 25 Dept of Assistance and Rehabilitation Services, Code 30 Dept of Aging & State Health Services, and Code 64 Department of Public Safety
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

4. Texas Secretary of State
2016 USPS Changes
Redesign the voter registration application in order to meet revised guidelines of the United State Post Office (USPS). According to these regulations, on the existing voter registration applications the flap at the top is too short when the piece is folded for mailing. 
Our office is working with the USPS to make the changes for each county application and currently have approval for the 75 high volume counties.  
We will let you know when the redesigned and USPS approved camera pdf is ready for printing. Once you have the new applications it is our recommendation that you discard the applications on hand.
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

5. 2016 USPS Changes Continued
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) regulation :
f. Flaps are formed when the final exterior panel is folded over and affixed to the unaddressed side of the mailpiece. Flaps must meet the following conditions:
1. The folded edge of a flap must be flush with the top edge of the mailpiece and end one inch or more above the bottom edge, except under f4. Flaps must be at least 1-1/2 inches when measured from the top of the mailpiece.
2. Flaps must be secured by a sealing method in
3. The dimensions of the redesigned form will be as follows:
Flat size 6"x 9 1/2"
Finish size folds to 6"x4" (double postcard), with 1 1/2" fold at top and another 5 1/2" from top 1/2 inch glue strip at top inside card
Score card at 1 1/2" from top and 5 1/2" from top of form (at folds) 67# Vellum Bristol (White)
Black Ink 2 sides
No Bleed
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

6. Voter Registration Applications
Who prints the VR applications – SOS, county, or both?
Printers at County Level (Registered Printers)
SOS if Budget Allows on As Needed Basis
Copies of PDFs at our agency – have you moved?
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

7. Texas Secretary of State
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

8. Voter Registration Applications
How does SOS determine how many VR applications to print for each county?
Look at previous elections years
Number of Registered Voters vs. Population
Budget
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

9. Voter Registration Application Costs
SOS furnishes a “sufficient” quantity of voter registration applications in the form of business reply postcard to each county at no cost
Counties may print additional voter registration applications using county or Chapter 19 funds
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

10. Voter Registration Postage Costs
SOS obtains a USPS business reply (4511) permit annually for all counties to use
High-volume counties receive an account maintenance fee to qualify for reduced postage rates
Counties may request voter registration postage from SOS as needed
All warrants are made payable to the local county postmaster, not the county
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State

11. Texas Secretary of State
ELECTION MAIL
PROGRAM KIT
YOUR 2016 OFFICIAL
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ELECTION MAIL
PROGRAM KIT
YOUR 2016 OFFICIAL
USPS Mail Kit
Official Logo
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Vote by mail
Absentee ballots
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State ™

12. Texas Secretary of State
ELECTIONMAIL.ORG
WHAT IS ELECTIONMAIL.ORG? One simple form to help you document election mail problems. ElectionMail.org is designed to provide election administrators with a method to communicate with the USPS: If you encounter a problem with election mail, contact your local post office and submit a report on ElectionMail.org as soon as possible. Document as much as you can, but don't worry if you don't know exactly what's going on! We'll follow up if we have questions. ElectionMail.org is a joint project of Democracy Works and the Bipartisan Policy Center, with generous support from the Democracy Fund.
11/6/2018
Texas Secretary of State