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Political mail reaches ‘phenomenal’ levels with current election cycle
Friday, November 3, 2006 10:47 PM EST
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| Residents in the Maysville area found their mailboxes stuffed full Friday with last minute reminders on who and what to vote for in the Tuesday's election. Terry Prather/Staff |
Described as a "phenomenal amount of mail" by Bonni Manies, the manager of consumer affairs for the USPS, this year's political mail is more than twice in volume than the political mailings of the last major election.
"There is an amazing amount of political mail that is coming through the system," Manies said. "Everyone is very aware of election mail."
Processing the amount of political mail that goes through the system daily is both a blessing and a curse. Manies said the mailings do put more money into the system. However, it has made the jobs of many workers more difficult.
As an example, Manies said she began her career with the USPS as a letter carrier. As a letter carrier, she began her day by "casing" the mail, or arranging it into delivery sequence. The thicker the letters, the easier it is to sort through. Manies said the thinner it is, the more difficult the process becomes.
With political mail, most are looking for the most "bang for their buck," Manies said, so the mailings are often thin, and there can be a few hundred in only a few inches of mail.
"It's very labor intensive," she said.
Add to that, this year Ohio has begun its "no fault" absentee ballots, allowing everyone who wishes to vote absentee the opportunity to do so, without outlining a reason. Manies said many more people are using absentee ballots as a result.
While the mailings may be burdensome in some ways to the system, the USPS "recognizes the vital role that mail plays in the American democratic process," according to the USPS Web site. Manies said when election literature is received, it needs to go. In no way, she said, does the postal system want to impact the results of an election.
To that end, the USPS offers several resources for candidates and their campaign crews when organizing mailers. On the Web site, they can click on links regarding planning, addressing and designing election mail, a frequently asked questions link, as well as a resources and contacts link.
With the election looming Tuesday, the mailings have only seemed to increase. Manies said the USPS can only guarantee delivery of the literature by election date, if it enters the system by Saturday.
Jerry Lundergan, chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, said the mailers are typically "targeted" mailers, instead of just bulk mail.
"I think they're very effective," Lundergan said. "Especially if they're targeted mailings."
The political mail will be sent to those who vote regularly, to those who do not vote regularly to encourage them to vote, senior citizens, veterans, and other groups.
Lundergan said the Democratic Party has probably sent out more than 3 million mailings, but that does not include the political mail sent out by candidates themselves.
With the political mail, automated telephone calls, and radio and newspaper advertising, Lundergan said he has no idea what has been spent so far this election cycle. However, the number keeps mounting.
"We're still purchasing even as we speak today," he said.
Calls to the Republican Party of Kentucky for comment were not returned by press time.
Contact Misty Maynard at 606-564-9091, ext. 274.
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