Spain's postal service bans staff from discussing mail-in voting

An internal Correos communication prohibits its workforce from discussing mail-in voting. The directive arrives amidst heated debate regarding the administration of postal ballots.

The state-owned company **Correos** has sent an internal notice to its workers, banning them from speaking about mail-in voting. The document, circulated as an official statement, appears during a period of intense controversy over postal ballot management.

## What the memo says

The brief, internal text orders staff to refrain from making statements about mail-in voting. It does not specify whether the ban extends only to media outlets or also covers social media and private conversations.

The instruction comes at a time of maximum public exposure for the company. Postal voting has been subject to political and media debate, with postal workers being the visible face of the entire process.

## Why it matters

Correos is a state-owned entity dependent on the **Ministry of Transport**. Its employees handle sensitive electoral documentation: applications, envelopes, and ballots. Any instruction limiting their freedom of expression in this context carries legal implications.

The ban on discussing mail-in voting affects fundamental rights such as freedom of expression. An internal memo cannot override the law, especially during an election period.

## Context of postal voting

Mail-in voting has grown in Spain during recent electoral processes. In the July 2023 general elections, record numbers of requests were registered, with more than **2.6 million** applications, according to official data.

This volume turned Correos into a key piece of the system. Unions have repeatedly denounced lack of resources and pressure on staff. Now, the ban on discussing mail-in voting adds a new front.

The company has not publicly clarified the scope of the measure or whether sanctions exist for non-compliance. It is an internal instruction, not a published regulation.