Election Mail Handling Procedures to Protect Against Hazardous Materials

This guide provides an overview for election officials on preparing to handle mail safely, identifying potentially suspicious mail, and responding to potential hazardous materials exposure from handling mail. Since mail is a key component of both standard office operations and mail balloting across the country, all election offices should have procedures in place to handle mail safely and respond to potential hazardous materials exposure, and all personnel should be trained on these procedures. The guide also provides information on the threat posed by and best practices on how to protect against the three potentially lethal powders of greatest concern, fentanyl, anthrax, and ricin, in addition to more routine mail hazards.

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