Mailing Voters With EDDM Before Early Voting
Every Door Direct Mail lets a campaign mail every household on the carrier routes it chooses without buying a voter list. Pick the routes inside your district, print an EDDM-size postcard such as 6″ × 11″ (10,000 for $799), and time the drop so it lands before early voting begins, then again in the final week.
Who does EDDM reach?
EDDM delivers to every address on a route, so it reaches all households, including people who are not registered or do not vote. That makes it well suited to name recognition, introducing the candidate and reminding people when and where to vote. For messages aimed only at likely voters, campaigns often use an addressed mailing to a voter file instead.
How do you choose routes in your district?
- Open the USPS EDDM map and search the ZIP codes in your district.
- Select the carrier routes that fall inside your district lines. Routes do not follow district boundaries exactly, so favor routes mostly inside the district.
- Use the residential count to see how many pieces each route needs.
Our guide to choosing EDDM carrier routes walks through the map step by step.
Which postcard sizes can you use?
EDDM pieces must be USPS flats: longer than 10.5″ or taller than 6.125″. Good campaign sizes:
| Size | 5,000 (pay for 2,500) | 10,000 (pay for 5,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 6″ × 11″ | $639 | $799 |
| 6.5″ × 9″ | $579 | $779 |
| 8.5″ × 11″ | $829 | $1,549 |
A 4″ × 6″ card or 4″ × 9″ palm card is too small for EDDM. More in which postcard sizes qualify for EDDM.
When should the mail land?
- Before early voting opens: introduce the candidate and the top two or three issues.
- The final week: a short reminder with Election Day, polling-place information and a clear photo.
Early-voting dates vary by state, so check your state election office and work backwards: allow time for printing, shipping, bundling and drop-off at the Post Office.
What should the postcard say?
- The candidate's name and office, large enough to read at a glance
- A clear photo, and two or three issues in plain words
- The voting date and where to find polling information
- The "Paid for by" disclaimer your race requires
- Space for the EDDM postal indicia on the mailing side
Printing one design for both drops is usually cheaper per piece: 10,000 6″ × 11″ postcards cost $160 more than 5,000. See every campaign product on our political campaign printing page, or call 512-573-1977 and we'll help you count routes and confirm turnaround.
