Secretary of State issues emergency rule increasing 2020 general election costs

In late August, the Office of the Secretary of State issued an emergency rule requiring county auditors to use First Class mail when sending ballots to voters for the 2020 general election. Using First Class mail will ensure that registered voters receive their ballots in a timely manner despite slowdowns in deliveries from the United States Postal Service.

Under current practice, ballot mailings are sent using a nonprofit bulk rate. The emergency rule now requires all ballot mailings, including replacement ballots or ballots for newly registered voters, to be mailed via First Class mail. The rule requires ballots to be sent at least 15 days prior to Election Day, November 3.

The change in postage requirements from bulk mail to First Class mail will increase costs for mailing ballots to registered voters. AWC encourages cities to contact their county auditor to determine what, if any, additional costs will be passed on to cities for the general election.