Clear and accurate print materials help elections stay secure and accessible
Free and fair elections are the bedrock of American politics. Communicating in print has played a crucial role since the first one in 1788, and it continues to make the elections process secure and accessible to the entire voting public.
Election materials need to be clear, accurate and on-time
In the Northwest, we use mail-in ballots which, coupled with voters’ pamphlets, afford voters the time to sit down at their kitchen table and become educated on each candidate and issue while filling out their ballot. Accurate and clear printing means an accurate and clear message. Smudges, misalignment, missing pages and improper binding can all contribute to misinformation—particularly for those who are disabled or do not have easy access to the internet, including elderly and under-resourced adults.
Voters’ pamphlets are printed, addressed and mailed directly to voters in time to make informed decisions. Using a reputable printer for both printing and mailing services is key to proper list management and on-time mailing to registered voters. Any mistake or delay means a vote may be cast late or not at all.
A large printer like Consolidated Press can save money on mailing in several ways. We provide volume postage discounts by analyzing your files and providing postal logistics planning and strategy. We deliver mail direct to USPS bulk mail centers for faster delivery and postage discounts, and ink-jet addressing occurs in-line on our stitchers to save you time and money.
Printed campaign communications help sway voters
Taking part in our election process means being able to convey our specific ideals, opinions and plans to our constituents. Whether that is through flyering, print and direct mail, or canvassing, there’s a personal touch with print that you don’t get with digital communication. Besides that, print–even print and mail—is much cheaper and better trusted than television spots and outdoor advertising.
After a contentious race in Virginia, the USPS teamed up with the American Association of Political Consultants to ask voters about their sources for political outreach and information. The results revealed the power of direct mail for local campaigns.
Nearly 70% said mail sent to their homes was the most credible political outreach technique. Sixty-six percent of female voters, 56% of millennial voters, 57% of nonwhite voters, and 69% of college-age voters trusted direct mail the most. The survey also revealed direct mail in the top three most persuasive channels.
In addition, most people visit their mailboxes every day. They have positive associations with mail vs. unrecognizable digital campaign messages that are frustrating because of pop-up ads, potential privacy issues, and frequency.
Reliability is key to the civic process
The printing industry has been in a tough spot since the pandemic started. In the early days, working together in a building was nearly impossible. Later, worker shortages slowed commercial printers across the nation. Add to that supply chain tangles and paper shortages, and presses were in a constant state of catch-up.
Today, Consolidated Press is completely staffed up and enjoying a surplus of paper. Our suppliers and vendors are all coming back up to speed and are at pre-Covid turnaround times.
All of these factors add up to a reliable, cost-effective process suitable for government budgets and responsive to tight deadlines on the campaign trail.
With our efficient presses and professional staff, we can help you steward your resources while creating essential print products that benefit everyone. Let us help you educate voters—reach out today!