I have a question about mail boxes and campaign materials - help please

[Sydnie]

Ok, here's the story. We have a local state rep that is a dem and he has been in office for many years. I have worked on his campaigns over the years but am not currently working for him. I've been a little ticked off at him lately, but not enough to vote for his challenger, who is an independent.

Now, here is my problem and my question. This morning I discovered that this independent had placed a magnet for his campaign ON my metal mailbox at the street. Now, my yard is very vocal as far as politics are concerned although I do not have a sign supporting my usual candidate for this seat. I have my sign with the Iraq casualty numbers on it and my signs for Deval Patrick too. Having this guys magnet stuck to my mail box implies that I am supporting this guy, which I am not.

I know that federal law prohibits anyone to place anything INSIDE the mail box that has not been processed through the USPS, especially campaign materials. Does that apply to the OUTSIDE of my mail box as well?

I feel like this was a really slimy attempt to have it appear that I was supporting this guy. I called his office this morning and HE answers the phone himself. I told him that I didn't appreciate that and if he wanted my vote he should have knocked on my door and stated his case. I told him that I thought it could be a violation of postal laws and he said it wasn't. Then, he hung up on me! Talk about arrogant!

I don't feel that he just targeted me because he did that to several other mail boxes on my street too. But, I do feel somewhat violated as my house is one of the few in my general location that is as vocal about politics and everybody knows that this is where I live and they know who I am. Not meaning to sound arrogant myself, but in a small town vocal political advocates, especially female ones, don't go unnoticed. I have been an elected official and I am known around town by the major players as well as the spectators.

Now, I need to know if anyone else thinks this might be a violation of election laws or USPS mail box usage laws where campaigns are concerned? If it is, just who would I contact to file a complaint about it? I told him that I would be calling the AG to inquire but I can't seem to locate an office specifically set up for this type of complaint there or with the local DA's office either.

It's not an earth shattering thing by any means, I realize that. It just makes me feel violated and concerns me that people driving by my house (I am one of the two main streets in town) might actually have gotten the notion that I was supporting this jerk.

Any suggestions on where to pursue this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[Lars39]

1. Call the post master for your post office.

[dsc]

2. I would be amazed if it isn't

There are specific requirements for how those mailboxes are supposed to look. The must be so high, etc.

[China_cat]

3. Call the post office and ask. That would be the quickest way

to find out. Then, if he's screwed up, file a complaint with the postmaster.

[emdee]

4. Call the Post Office....

it is illegal here in TN. The same thing happened to me - a bag with that big ol' elephant stuck to the front of my mailbox. The fact that it was the only mailbox targeted let me know it was done intentionally to a known Democrat. If they touch the mailbox itself, they are supposed to pay. I called my local post office and they were going to call the local Rep party and tell them to stop it. No fine or anything, I'm sure - but at the very least the post office should call the Ind's office and tell them to stop using the box itself. Unfortunately, they can use the pole the mailbox is attached to, legally.

emdee

[Sammy Pepys]

5. Just take it off

Unless it's somehow permanently affixed, I doubt you'd have much of a claim for anything. USPS probably won't take it seriously anyway.

[alfredo]

6. Call you local Post Office to see if it is illegal. If anything it is

bad manners.

[TAPat]

7. Just called my local PostMaster...

This guy broke the law. No sticking ANYTHING on a mailbox.

[AllegroRondo]

16. that sounds correct

I remember a big commotion around here a couple years ago when someone tried to stick advertizing stickers on a corner mail box (one of the big blue ones). They were charged with a federal offense.

You home mail box is no different.

[cally]

17. I'm surprised. It's common to hang missing pet signs on post

boxes in my area. I thought you could put fliers on the mail box but not in it.

[pooja]

8. Ok, really--just get over it... remove the magnet. Throw it out

and go on with your day. Is it really going to hurt you to be the bigger person? Are we adults children?

[drm604]

9. The big problem is that he can deny any connection to it.

He can always say that it must have been an overzealous supporter and that he knew nothing about it. It's doubtful that you can prove otherwise. It's still a good idea to report it since it may discourage him from doing it in the future.

[Sydnie]

11. I already spoke with him directly and he didn't deny anything

As a matter of fact, he told me clearly that it was NOT a violation of the law and then hung up on me! I think that pissed me off more than the original act of placing it there did.

[dubykc]

10. It's illegal!!

It's illegal for anything not bearing valid USPS postage to be placed in any US mail box. You should contact your local postmaster or the most local Postal Inspector's office.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. Call a consumer or political reporter.

If you're not near the TV major markets, call a local political reporter.
The candidate sounds like he was aware of the action and therefore is a jerk.

on edit: I don't think the Title 18 section applies to the exterior of the mailbox, but I'm no expert. We get business cards jammed behind our flag all the time.

[Sydnie]

13. I just spoke with my local PO offices - two of them

and they say it is illegal and that had a complaints from my town yesterday and notified the candidate that it IS illegal and to cease doing it. They obviously didn't listen yesterday as this sticker was NOT on my box yesterday. They had to have placed it at some point last night.

They also told me in cases like this, the carrier has been instructed to remove the offending object and they then return them to the candidate - POSTAGE DUE!!! They charge them postage for every violation they recover since they did not pay the postage when the placed it on the box.

They also gave me another number to pursue it further so I can file a formal complaint.

Contacting the media was also going through my mind. I just might have to do that too.

I think I'll call the current rep and tell him to come place a sign today too. Sending a message to this guy is a good thing.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Sounds promising!

I noticed that you're in Mass, where people take politics seriously. Nice to have the post office backing on this too.

[undeterred]

15. Yes, its illegal

Someone told me I could tape lit to the mailbox or rubberband it, so I did. Guess what, they called the post office and the post office called the campaign to complain. The mailbox is off limits completely, including the outside.

[Sydnie]

18. Ok, here's what I've found out so far

It is illegal and the post office is very interested in this because it "robs them of the revenue they would have made had the candidate legally mailed the magnet". I contacted my local town clerk, which also acts as the election head in town and he contacted the state to get clarification as to what his office could and should do with this type of violation of election laws. I had to step out this afternoon and I missed his call back, but he left a message stating that the police chief wants to speak with me because he needs information that I have, not sure what that info is, but I called the clerk back and home. I am waiting for him to return that call now. I also have a call into the USPS Boston office of Revenue Protection as they would be the office to handle serving notice to the campaign that they have a complaint and have been breaking the law as well.

Now, in the process of all this today, I spoke with several people who are connected to campaigns locally here and they tell me that this is the tip of the iceberg where this slime ball candidate is concerned. They told me (since I admit that I know very little about this guy at all) that he was running as an independent but he is in sheep's clothing for the repugs with that distinction. A real hard line right winger, so naturally he doesn't think the laws apply to him.

Next I will be contacting a reporter at our local rag. I often contact her when I have a story to tell. I hope she picks it up and runs with the story. If this guy really is a slimy as I am hearing, it will have been worth exposing him to help a dem (yes, even one that makes me mad from time to time) retain the seat.

It is interesting how small town politics are beginning to be a reflection of national races these days. But, each victory is worth fighting for. Our Dem candidate was following the rules. I think this guy should have to follow them too.