Congressional Frank on Official Mail
A member of Congress prepared a newsletter for constituents. The office applied the required frank to each envelope. Postal officials accepted the mail without demanding postage payment.
Also known as: frank
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A signature, stamp, or mark affixed to mail as a substitute for postage. The privilege of sending certain mail free of charge, accorded to designated government officials.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A member of Congress prepared a newsletter for constituents. The office applied the required frank to each envelope. Postal officials accepted the mail without demanding postage payment.
A federal court clerk mailed summonses to parties in pending litigation. The clerk affixed the court's frank to each envelope. The postal service delivered the documents without collecting any postage.
A senator directed staff to distribute hearing transcripts to district offices. Staff placed the senatorial frank on every package. Recipients received the materials at no cost to the office.
A representative sent updates on pending bills to registered voters. The office used the official frank on each mailing. The postal service processed the items without requiring stamps.
A district judge ordered copies of a new opinion sent to counsel of record. The clerk applied the court's frank to the envelopes. Delivery occurred without any postage charge to the court.
The governor's office mailed official proclamations to state agencies. Staff affixed the executive frank to each envelope. The postal service accepted the items free of charge under the applicable privilege.
It refers to a signature, stamp, or mark placed on mail in place of postage. It also denotes the privilege allowing certain officials to send mail without paying postage.
…644; Public Utilities Comm'n v. Pollak , 343 U. S. 451; Monroe v. Pape , 365 U. S. 167; Lanza v. New York , 370 U. S. 139; Frank v. Maryland , 359 U. S. 360; Skinner v. Oklahoma , 316 U. S. 535, 541. These cases bear witness that the right of privacy which presses for recognition here is a legitimate one. The…