[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80593-80594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25569]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Ballot Mail Ancillary Service Endorsements

AGENCY: Postal Service<SUP>TM</SUP>.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) subsections 
507.1.5.1 and 507.1.5.3, to remove Change Service Requested, as an 
ancillary service endorsement option for Ballot Mail.

DATES: Effective date: January 21, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Matyas (202) 826-7157 or Garry 
Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 29, 2023, the Postal Service 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (88 FR 67159) to remove 
Change Service Requested, Option 1, as an ancillary service endorsement 
option for Ballot Mail. The Postal Service did not receive any formal 
comments.
    The Postal Service is clarifying that the notice of proposed 
rulemaking focused on removing ``Change Service Requested'', Option 1 
and that Change Service Requested, Option 2 was not originally included 
in the Ballot Mail Ancillary Service Endorsement Federal Register 
Notice because Change Service Requested, Option 2 was never associated 
with any Ballot Mail STIDs. Only Change Service Requested, Option 1 was 
available for use. However, both Change Service Requested Options 1 and 
2 permit all mailpieces that are undeliverable-as-addressed to be 
disposed of and it against postal policy to dispose of any ballot 
mailpiece. The Postal Service is providing a clarification, to avoid 
any misunderstanding, that will state that the endorsement ``Change 
Service Requested'', is not available for Ballot Mail.
    Ballot Mail that is undeliverable as addressed must be forwarded to 
the voter if a Change of Address notice is on file or returned to the 
election office that sent the Ballot Mail.
    We believe this revision will provide a more efficient mailing 
experience.
    The Postal Service adopts the described changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.


0
2. Revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

* * * * *

507 Mailer Services

1.0 Treatment of Mail

* * * * *

1.5 Treatment for Ancillary Services by Class of Mail

1.5.1 First-Class Mail, USPS Ground Advantage--Retail, USPS Ground 
Advantage--Commercial, and Priority Mail

    Undeliverable-as-addressed First-Class Mail (including postcards), 
USPS Ground Advantage--Retail, USPS Ground Advantage--Commercial, and 
Priority Mail pieces are treated under Exhibit 1.5.1, with these 
additional conditions:
* * * * *
    e. ``Change Service Requested'' is not permitted for the following:
    [Revise item e by adding a new item e4 to read as follows:
* * * * *
    4. First-Class Mail pieces containing Ballot Mail under 703.8.0.
* * * * *

Exhibit 1.5.1 Treatment of Undeliverable First-Class Mail, USPS Ground 
Advantage--Retail, USPS Ground Advantage--Commercial and Priority Mail

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Mailer endorsement              USPS treatment of UAA pieces
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Change Service Requested..................
 
                                * * * * *
Restrictions (for Options 1 and 2)........  The following restrictions
                                             apply:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [Revise the ``Change Service Requested'' ``Restrictions'' section 
by adding a new number 3 to read as follows:]
    3. This endorsement is not valid for Ballot Mail under 703.8.0.
* * * * *

1.5.3 USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight

    Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel 
Select Lightweight pieces are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.3, 
with these additional conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item c to read as follows:]
    c. The endorsement ``Change Service Requested'' is not permitted 
for the following:
    1. Pieces containing hazardous materials under 601.8.0. Pieces

[[Page 80594]]

containing hazardous materials must bear the endorsement ``Address 
Service Requested,'' ``Forwarding Service Requested,'' or ``Return 
Service Requested.''
    2. Pieces containing Ballot Mail under 703.8.0.
* * * * *

Exhibit 1.5.3 Treatment of Undeliverable USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel 
Select Lightweight

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Mailer endorsement              USPS treatment of UAA pieces
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
``Change Service Requested'' 1 4..........  Option 1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Restrictions:
    The following restrictions apply:
* * * * *
    [Revise the ``Change Service Requested'' Option 1 ``Restrictions'' 
section by adding a new number 3 to read as follows:]
    3. This endorsement is not valid for Ballot Mail under 703.8.0.
* * * * *

Option 2

* * * * *
    Restrictions:
    The following restrictions apply:
* * * * *
    [Revise the ``Change Service Requested'' Option 2 ``Restrictions'' 
section by adding a new number 3 to read as follows:]
    3. This endorsement is not valid for Ballot Mail under 703.8.0.
* * * * *

Colleen Hibbert-Kapler,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-25569 Filed 11-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P