Most people don’t realize that materials sent through the U.S. Mail for blind people do not require any postage. This means that candidates could send out a mailing that was mostly in Braille with a little extra information such as the URL for the campaign, also in Braille format.

There are basically two law sections that give the right to communicate with blind members of the public without having to pay postage. The first is 39 U.S.C. § 3403. It is worth taking a look at the text of this law so you can see how helpful it is and its limits:

§3403. Matter for blind and other handicapped persons

1. The matter described in subsection (b) of this section (other than matter mailed under section 3404 of this title) may be mailed free of postage, if—
   1. the matter is for the use of the blind or other persons who cannot use or read conventionally printed material because of a physical impairment and who are certified by competent authority as unable to read normal reading material in accordance with the provisions of sections 135a and 135b of title 2;
   2. no charge, or rental, subscription, or other fee, is required for such matter or a charge, or rental, subscription, or other fee is required for such matter not in excess of the cost thereof;
   3. the matter may be opened by the Postal Service for inspection; and
   4. the matter contains no advertising.
2. The free mailing privilege provided by subsection (a) of this section is extended to—
   1. reading matter and musical scores;
   2. sound reproductions;
   3. paper, records, tapes, and other material for the production of reading matter, musical scores, or sound reproductions;
   4. reproducers or parts thereof, for sound reproductions; and
   5. braille writers, typewriters, educational or other materials or devices, or parts thereof, used for writing by, or specifically designed or adapted for use of, a blind person or a person having a physical impairment as described in subsection (a)(1) of this section.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 757.)

Obviously, reading matter seems to be pretty broad and if you are a candidate and want to make sure that all your blind voters get to the polls early or vote early, you can create a postcard primarily in braille and provide a URL to your website that also is accessible to blind individuals. Naturally, your website would be usable by non-blind individuals as well.

There is nothing in this code section to say that materials can only benefit the blind. The Braille would have to be there to make sure your mailing is primarily for blind voters and that is fair enough. Being able to send envelopes and postcards free of postage is a big benefit and makes it quite worth it to a candidate to reach out to this population. A return envelope to a blind person working in your office would also satisfy return envelope free postage, such as for donations.

That said, how do you know who all the blind members of your voter roll are? You can’t know that. So, this should make it reasonable to send these cards to everyone to make sure you don’t miss anyone who is blind. This is the door opening to free postage for all your constituents so long as the blind focus of the mailing is there.

There are certain requirements for getting this privilege and this is the code section explaining how to claim the free postage:

§3405. Markings

All matter relating to blind or other handicapped persons mailed under section 3403 or 3404 of this title, shall bear the words “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped” or words to that effect specified by the Postal Service, in the upper right-hand corner of the address area.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 758.)

Therefore, if your mailing is primarily in Braille but has a URL to your website, this should be fine for getting the free postage and it just looks good that you are making an effort to include blind people. The fact that everyone is getting the same mailing shows everyone your commitment to disability rights and wanting blind people to vote.

Time is running short for the 2018 election, but I still think there is time to get a mailing out for all blind voters that also reminds non-blind voters to vote early and where. Good luck with your election!