Ordinance on the Packaging and Mailing of Political Party Advertising for Elections - Subject Matter

1. This regulation establishes the jurisdiction, responsibility, and the technical and organizational rules for the packaging and dispatch of the election propaganda of political parties.

1. The State Chancellery Undertakes

a) the coordination between the Swiss Post and the contact person appointed by the political parties, and

b) the payment of the service providers' invoices for the costs of producing the envelopes, as well as for packaging and shipping.

1. Political parties are responsible for

a) appointing a contact person for all parties; this person ensures the contact and information flow between the State Chancellery, the Swiss Post, and the political parties;

b) designing and laying out the envelope, in collaboration with the State Chancellery and the Swiss Post;

c) producing the envelopes;

d) combining the advertising for mailing to households and packaging;

e) managing and dispatching the election campaign material;

f) validating the invoices for packaging and shipping costs and forwarding them to the State Chancellery.

2. Political parties are also responsible for the production of election campaign material according to the regulations of this ordinance and for the content of the campaign.

1. Swiss Post is responsible for

a) the validation of the envelope layout and the technical description;

b) the receipt and distribution of election campaign material within the deadlines set by the contact person of the political parties.

2. Swiss Post designates contact persons for the activity and informs the State Chancellery accordingly.

1. The election campaign material of all parties shall be placed in a single envelope, which shall adhere to the following technical specifications

a) Maximum format: B4

b) Maximum total weight per envelope: 1000 g

c) Maximum thickness per envelope: 2 cm

2. The envelope shall contain the following information

a) A distinctive mark, as determined by the political parties (the use of the state's logo is not permitted);

b) The designation “Federal Elections 20xx” or “Cantonal Elections 20xx”;

c) And for envelopes containing election campaign material for the cantonal elections, the specification of the electoral district for which they are intended.

1. The contact person for the political parties liaises with the Swiss Post for the organization of the work and dispatch, ensuring that all envelopes are delivered together.

2. The consolidated envelopes (summarized by constituencies for the cantonal elections) are delivered on pallets to the drop-off office designated by the Swiss Post. In addition to pallets, other containers may also be agreed upon between the contact person for the political parties and the Swiss Post.

3. The drop-off date is agreed upon in advance between all parties and the Swiss Post.

4. The person designated for this task adheres to the instructions of the Swiss Post when depositing the pallets.

5. The Swiss Post issues a special invoice to the State Chancellery for the dispatch of the election propaganda material.

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 July 2015.