Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold Celebrates United States Remaining in the Universal Postal Union

Denver, September 26, 2019 – This week, the Universal Postal Union Extraordinary Congress voted in favor of a compromise proposal that allows the United States to set its own inbound postage rates. The U.S. has decided to remain in the Universal Postal Union.

"The United States' membership in the Universal Postal Union is crucial for our military and overseas voters. I am glad that we know that Colorado's 38,000 military and overseas voters will now be able to return their voted ballots by mail if they wish to do so," said Secretary Griswold. "Thank you to the Secretaries of State and Election Directors from around the country who joined me in calling on the White House to find a compromise that would keep the U.S. in the Universal Postal Union."

The Administration announced its intent to withdraw from the UPU on October 17, 2018. Yesterday's compromise reverses this decision. Secretary Griswold raised concerns about the proposed withdrawal, sending a letter to the administration requesting a reversal. She spoke directly with the White House about her concerns and encouraged other Secretaries of State to do the same.

Nationally, there are 1.3 million active military personnel and 700,000 spouses and dependents, as well as 3 million voting age citizens living abroad. In Colorado, 38,625 military and overseas Coloradans voted in 2016 and 28,929 voted in 2018. Thirty percent of these voters are military and 70% are citizens living abroad.

Colorado's County Clerks mailed military and overseas ballots for the 2019 election on September 21, 2019. With the United States remaining in the Universal Postal Union, military and overseas voters will be able to return their ballots by mail, if they wish, without concern. Colorado also has a secure electronic ballot file sharing system available for returning voted ballots.

For nearly 150 years, the UPU has guaranteed that all categories of mail are treated equally, regardless of country of origin. There are 195 countries in the United Nations, 192 of which are UPU members.