There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted USPS political mailers.

• Keep in mind being registered to vote automatically opts you in to receiving political mail/calls/texts/emails, etc. Your voter registration is public record and is obtained by campaigns for their mailing/call/email lists.

• Voting early seems to reduce these unwanted mailers/phone calls/emails that are connected to the voter registration list.

• I personally cancel my voter registration after I have voted so it prevents my info from being public record for long periods of time. I then register to vote at the last possible moment as well.

• Check to see if your state has a confidential voter registration program. This will prevent your voter registration info from being shared.

• Phone numbers/emails are optional info on voter registration - if you don’t provide this info then you won’t receive political calls/emails.

It is NOT required by law in the USA to have a phone number or email address! Do keep in mind that NOT providing this info will hinder the election board in contacting you if there is an issue with an absentee/mail in ballot.

Install a spam filter app that blocks texts messages based on keywords ("Democrat" "republican" "vote" etc).

NOTE: If receiving phone calls from the “other” party or addressing someone else - a sign that the previous owner of your phone number still has your number listed on their voter registration. Contact your state/local election board and ask for your number to be removed from this individual’s voter registration form.

• Past resident - if the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition

The mailers in question were mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition

Do these steps at each address to ensure proper delivery of USPS mail/packages.

• Write name in mailbox (especially cluster boxes) - if apartment complex ask apartment management to supply mail carrier with a list of current residents so the mail carrier can properly label mailboxes.

• Fill out “new customer card” (even if not new to address) at servicing USPS - this card instructs mail carrier on what names should receive first class mail/packages at said address. I have used forms 4232 & the green VACANT form in the past.

Unsure of servicing USPS - search address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) - they will list the USPS location that services your address along with their contact info.

• Submit USPS COA from your old address to current address. A diligent mail carrier will place a “new customer card” in the mailbox when they receive the past residents COA or the new residents COA - usually VACANT card.

https://www.usps.com/umove/

NOTE: I do this every 2-4 years (or when move) from EACH of my old addresses. You will be surprised what your still receiving at your old addresses. Unsure of your old addresses see website truepeoplesearch and/or free annual credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis) https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports.

• Register your address with USPS informed delivery - this service emails your daily the USPS mail/packages addressed to/to be delivered to your address (including past resident mail). Your goal is to have ONLY your wanted mail appearing in this service.

NOTE: Some mail carriers sort out past resident mail before delivery - which is great - but this is creating more work for them. Help them out and eliminate these mailers. Contact the sender and request removal of the name/address from their USPS mailing/marketing list.

• Google your address - is the location arrow correct - NO correct IMMEDIATELY with Google maps and GPS/mapping systems - carriers unfamiliar with route use these online services.

• Make sure your ALL mail/packages have the address variation that the USPS systems needs to properly sort/deliver mail/packages - search address in USPS address looks tool - https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm

NOTE: If you have ANY mail delivered in an address variation different than what USPS needs - correct this IMMEDIATELY. USPS is making changes to their system and what may have been delivered before may start being RTS.

• Search your address in website Melissa Data (lookups/personator) - any incorrect info/error codes?

Error codes - correct with USPS address management - https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/address-management-system

If you aren’t listed as the current resident - this will update after eliminating past resident mail/MLNA process (see below & my post on eliminating past resident mail)

If your residential address is classified as a business (apartments are known culprit) - correct with address management. NOTE: This will prevent you from being able to register with USPS informed delivery (business addresses are ineligible) and create COA issues. If a past resident did NOT select “business” on their COA (online/handwritten) it was rejected. USPS does NOT inform us of rejected COA’s!

• Eliminate past resident mail - this will avoid confusion on what names should receive first class mail at said address. See my post on this topic for more tips on eliminating past resident mail.

Past resident first class mail - write “NOT at this address” and place in your outgoing mail. If the individual moved 18+ months ago (COA’s expire after 18 months) write “NOT at this address - MLNA” instead.

Examples of First class mail - presorted first class, forever/first class stamp, metered, priority, special endorsed

Non-first class mail (YOURS & past resident) - the ONLY way to stop these mailers is to contact the sender and request removal of name/address from their USPS mailing/marketing list.

“I am receiving past resident mail and I would like that to STOP! Please remove this individual from your USPS mailing/marketing list.”

Examples of Non-first class mail - marketing/junk, presorted STD, presorted standard stamp, “or current resident”, EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH, charity, political, non-profit

Here is a list of common USPS junk/marketing mailers with easy opt outs - updated list under username - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VGd4iEy9jTsDbDcTj6EGcje-CkqoIeRCowXNhY2hmtk/edit?usp=drivesdk

• If suspect a past resident didn’t submit an USPS permanent COA (change of address) - signs receiving first class mail, appearing at your address to retrieve their mail, they know exactly what should be available to pick up, etc. Be sure to contact USPS Informed delivery and have all accounts deleted (except your own).

https://emailus.usps.com/s/informed-delivery-inquiry

NOTE: When an USPS permanent COA is submitted their informed delivery account is automatically transferred.

This is how to stop past resident mail…

First realize there are two types of USPS mail - first class & non-first class - each is handled differently!

• First class mail - presorted first class, forever/first class stamp, metered, priority, special endorsed

The endorsements consist of one keyword: “Electronic,” “Address,” “Return,” “Change,” or “Forwarding,” followed by the two words “Service Requested.”

You are receiving this type of mail because - the individual forgot to submit COA (change of address), COA is expired (expires after 18 months), forgot to submit COA in that name variation (Thomas vs Tom). The mail sorting machines sort by the first four letters of the first/last name.

Write “NOT at this address” and place in outgoing mail. If the individual moved over 18 months ago write “NOT at this address - MLNA” (moved left no address) and place in your outgoing mail OR take these items to the USPS and give to the clerk.

MLNA is a new option in mail carriers handheld - https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

EACH name variation will need their own MLNA/3575Z - so be extremely diligent!

If the individual (name variation) has an active USPS COA the first class mailer is forwarded. If the COA is expired (expires 18 months) or doesn’t exists the first class mailer is RTS with an official USPS forward/return label so the company can update their mailing list.

NOTE: MLNA’s are added to the NCOA (National change of address) database just like normal USPS COA’s. This database is used by companies (including marketing) to help keep their mailing list current. Ever wonder how “junk” mail follows you to your next address - this is how. If a company has your address listed for this individual (name variation) they will receive message - left no forwarding address - which forces them to locate another address for this name variation. The mailer is NOT printed!

• Non-first class mail - marketing/junk, presorted STD, presorted standard stamp, “or current resident”, EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH, charity, political, non-profit

You are receiving this type of mail because - non-first class mail is NOT forwarded via an USPS COA. Guess what you too are receiving this type of mail at EACH of your old addresses for this same reason.

See my steps (seven) on reducing your unwanted non-first class mail - this will reduce the amount of mail being delivered to your old addresses.

The ONLY way to stop this type of mail is to contact the sender and request the removal of the name/address!

Register your address with USPS informed delivery - service emails you daily the USPS mail/packages to be delivered - use this service to aid you in your removal request - attach the mailers image as reference.

Google the return address - normally a companies email is found in their privacy policy. If unable to locate an email - use the websites “contact us” or “live agent” options.

“I am receiving past resident mail and I would like this to STOP! Please remove this individual from your USPS mailing/marketing list.

Name/address on mailer)

See attached mailer as reference.” (Attach informed delivery image)

NOTE: If the mailer has the wording “or current resident” - guess what - you ARE the current resident. This is just a marketing tactic - always a current resident - the sender doesn’t have to update their mailing list. If you don’t want this mailer - remove the name/address from the senders mailing list. When you remove one name be prepared to receive the same mailer in another past resident name. Just keep removing names until the mailer stops. My record is 15 names!

NOTE: If receiving preapproved credit card offers for past residents - sign they haven’t updated their address on their credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis). To stop these offers register them with opt out prescreen - https://www.optoutprescreen.com/ - do NOT include their SSN - DO include their middle name & DOB. This info is found in websites like truepeoplesearch, nuwber, mylife.

NOTE: If receiving political mailers for past residents - sign they haven’t updated their voter registration. Contact your local election board - https://www.usa.gov/election-office and update this info - be sure that USPS forms 3575Z/MLNA are active. If the election board physically mails this individual something they will get message - “moved left no forwarding address”.

NOTE: If the mailer has a postage paid envelope - return these while waiting for removal request to take affect. Be sure to attach the address portion of the mailer and write “remove from mailing list”. Support the USPS!

NOTE: Your goal is to have ONLY your wanted mail appearing in your addresses informed delivery. Some mail carriers sort mail before delivery - which is great - but you still don’t want this individual connected to your address. So request removal from ALL past resident mailers that appear in your addresses informed delivery.

Here is a list of common USPS junk/marketing mailers with easy opt outs - updated list under username - don’t forget to opt out past residents - - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VGd4iEy9jTsDbDcTj6EGcje-CkqoIeRCowXNhY2hmtk/edit?usp=drivesdk

There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted USPS political mailers.

• Keep in mind being registered to vote automatically opts you in to receiving political mail/calls/texts/emails, etc. Your voter registration is public record and is obtained by campaigns for their mailing/call/email lists.

• Voting early seems to reduce these unwanted mailers/phone calls/emails that are connected to the voter registration list.

• I personally cancel my voter registration after I have voted so it prevents my info from being public record for long periods of time. I then register to vote at the last possible moment as well.

• Check to see if your state has a confidential voter registration program. This will prevent your voter registration info from being shared.

• Phone numbers/emails are optional info on voter registration - if you don’t provide this info then you won’t receive political calls/emails.

It is NOT required by law in the USA to have a phone number or email address! Do keep in mind that NOT providing this info will hinder the election board in contacting you if there is an issue with an absentee/mail in ballot.

Install a spam filter app that blocks texts messages based on keywords ("Democrat" "republican" "vote" etc).

NOTE: If receiving phone calls from the “other” party or addressing someone else - a sign that the previous owner of your phone number still has your number listed on their voter registration. Contact your state/local election board and ask for your number to be removed from this individual’s voter registration form.

• Past resident - if the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition

FYI…

• RTS, Refused, Deceased, NOT at this address ONLY works for first class mail.

Examples of First class mail - presorted first class, forever/first class stamp, metered, priority, special endorsed

The endorsements consist of one keyword: “Electronic,” “Address,” “Return,” “Change,” or “Forwarding,” followed by the two words “Service Requested.”

Examples of Non-first class mail - marketing/junk, presorted STD, presorted standard stamp, “or current resident”, EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH, charity, political, non-profit

• Return to sender can be confusing to USPS as well as return sender - is the individual deceased, have they moved, is the mailer being refused.

It is best to give a reason why first class mailer is being returned - DECEASED (family members only), NOT at this address, Refused, etc.

There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted USPS political mailers.

• Keep in mind being registered to vote automatically opts you in to receiving political mail/calls/texts/emails, etc. Your voter registration is public record and is obtained by campaigns for their mailing/call/email lists.

• Voting early seems to reduce these unwanted mailers/phone calls/emails that are connected to the voter registration list.

• I personally cancel my voter registration after I have voted so it prevents my info from being public record for long periods of time. I then register to vote at the last possible moment as well.

• Check to see if your state has a confidential voter registration program. This will prevent your voter registration info from being shared.

• Phone numbers/emails are optional info on voter registration - if you don’t provide this info then you won’t receive political calls/emails.

It is NOT required by law in the USA to have a phone number or email address! Do keep in mind that NOT providing this info will hinder the election board in contacting you if there is an issue with an absentee/mail in ballot.

Install a spam filter app that blocks texts messages based on keywords ("Democrat" "republican" "vote" etc).

NOTE: If receiving phone calls from the “other” party or addressing someone else - a sign that the previous owner of your phone number still has your number listed on their voter registration. Contact your state/local election board and ask for your number to be removed from this individual’s voter registration form.

• Past resident - if the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition

There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted USPS political mailers.

• Keep in mind being registered to vote automatically opts you in to receiving political mail/calls/texts/emails, etc. Your voter registration is public record and is obtained by campaigns for their mailing/call/email lists.

• Voting early seems to reduce these unwanted mailers/phone calls/emails that are connected to the voter registration list.

• I personally cancel my voter registration after I have voted so it prevents my info from being public record for long periods of time. I then register to vote at the last possible moment as well.

• Check to see if your state has a confidential voter registration program. This will prevent your voter registration info from being shared.

• Phone numbers/emails are optional info on voter registration - if you don’t provide this info then you won’t receive political calls/emails.

It is NOT required by law in the USA to have a phone number or email address! Do keep in mind that NOT providing this info will hinder the election board in contacting you if there is an issue with an absentee/mail in ballot.

Install a spam filter app that blocks texts messages based on keywords ("Democrat" "republican" "vote" etc).

NOTE: If receiving phone calls from the “other” party or addressing someone else - a sign that the previous owner of your phone number still has your number listed on their voter registration. Contact your state/local election board and ask for your number to be removed from this individual’s voter registration form.

• Past resident - if the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition

There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted USPS political mailers.

• Keep in mind being registered to vote automatically opts you in to receiving political mail/calls/texts/emails, etc. Your voter registration is public record and is obtained by campaigns for their mailing/call/email lists.

• Voting early seems to reduce these unwanted mailers/phone calls/emails that are connected to the voter registration list.

• I personally cancel my voter registration after I have voted so it prevents my info from being public record for long periods of time. I then register to vote at the last possible moment as well.

• Check to see if your state has a confidential voter registration program. This will prevent your voter registration info from being shared.

• Phone numbers/emails are optional info on voter registration - if you don’t provide this info then you won’t receive political calls/emails.

It is NOT required by law in the USA to have a phone number or email address! Do keep in mind that NOT providing this info will hinder the election board in contacting you if there is an issue with an absentee/mail in ballot.

Install a spam filter app that blocks texts messages based on keywords ("Democrat" "republican" "vote" etc).

NOTE: If receiving phone calls from the “other” party or addressing someone else - a sign that the previous owner of your phone number still has your number listed on their voter registration. Contact your state/local election board and ask for your number to be removed from this individual’s voter registration form.

• Past resident - if the mailer was mailed using USPS marketing program EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH - this is a sign that USPS has this name variation still listed as a current resident.

The sender is basically the USPS’s mailing list instead of their own internal one (voter list). These mailers are mailed to every address on an USPS mail route.

How to stop these mailers (political & non-political) in past resident names - Ask mail carrier to MLNA (moved left no address) the name variation.

https://link.usps.com/2021/06/02/mdd-update/

NOTE: Some mail carriers won’t MLNA non-first class mail so you may have to beg/bribe them especially if the name variation isn’t receiving any other mail. Obtain the VACANT form from local USPS and fill this out with the names of everyone who should receive mail at said address and place in your mailbox. Attach a list of past resident names that need to be MLNA - don’t forget bribe snacks!

• Past resident - if the mailer isn’t ECRWSS/ECRWSH - sign they haven’t updated their address on their voter registration. Contact your state election board and have your address removed.

https://www.usa.gov/election-office

How to check if someone still has your address/phone number listed on their voter registration - search address/phone number in websites like voterrecords.com & https://voteref.com

• Sign the EDDM petition