[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Stamp Encore Voting Open Now
Vote for your favorite stamp to be reissued in 2026
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is excited to announce the Stamp Encore Contest. To celebrate the organization’s 250th anniversary, and gear up to celebrate the 
country’s 250th anniversary, the public is invited to select a stamp pane from the past for re-printing as part of the 2026 Stamp program.
The Postal Service chose 25 stamp panes from some of its bestselling and most popular stamp issuances of the recent past. Voting is open through Sept. 30, both online and by mail. You can view the official rules and vote online at stampsforever.com/vote, or print a paper ballot from the website and mail it in.
This is an open invitation — everyone is welcome, and you can vote as many times as you want.
The Postal Service plans to announce the winning stamp design in May 2026 at the Boston 2026 World Expo to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Until then, the results will be a secret.
List of stamps:
| Art of Disney: Magic (2007) Bugs Bunny (1997) DC Comics Super Heroes (2006) Flag Act of 1818 (2018) Have a Ball! (2017) Mail a Smile (2015) Peanuts (2001) Star Wars: Droids (2021) Wonder Woman (2016 |
Batman (2015) Charles M. Schulz (2022) Disney Villains (2017) Frozen Treats (2018) Heritage Breeds (2021) Message Monsters (2021) Send a Hello (2011) Total Eclipse of the Sun (2017) |
Bioluminescent Life (2018) Classics Forever (2016) Emancipation Proclamation (2013) Happy Birthday (2021) Let’s Celebrate (2020) Mister Rogers (2018) Star Trek (2016) Transcontinental Railroad (2019) |
Just one stamp from the 1900’s. None from the 1800’s. Nothing says 250th anniversary less than stamps from just the past 20 years. There are some pretty nice stamps being overlooked.
Too many overlooked! maybe they should issue a conglomorate issue. Something like they printed on the Boston Stamp Show’s special issue booklet.
Shhhhhhhhh!
Going to the voting web site results in :
This site could be risky
Advanced Security blocked access to
http://stampsforever.com/vote
This site might compromise your device or contain high-risk content.
To avoid these risks, we recommend avoiding this site.
I’m surprised: The link works fine for me, both from the email I initially received and the message here. I checked it in Firefox, Chrome and Safari (all for Mac) and received no warning notices. However, I will pass on the information.
The link is not working as it states it is down from my end, so they will need to look into the issues regarding this link supplied.
From your list above Peanuts (2001) <– is actually 2015, right? Not that it matters all that much, but I had to double check to make sure peanuts wasn't issued back in 2001, 2015 and in 2022 haha
I just used the list the USPS sent, but the USPS is correct: On May 17, 2001, it issued a single stamp for Peanuts, showing Snoopy flying his doghouse against the Red Baron.
Ah you’re right. I forgot about the Snoopy! Wow, I didn’t realize how many Peanuts they issued. Good to know.
By the way, I’ve been wondering if the “encore” version of whatever wins the voting will be marked in some way to differentiate it from the original version. I haven’t gotten an answer yet, but it’s on my list for the USPS Stamp Services seminar at Great American Stamp Show, August 14.
I would be surprised if at least the date didn’t change – and unless they chose the same printer I feel like something would change with a part of it. I’ll be curious to see what you find out! Keep us posted, Lloyd!!!
There’s more information on the issue in the former home of The Virtual Stamp Club, now The Stamp Collecting Forum, starting here.
I have to agree with the comments advocating for something much older than the last 20 years, and also being an arch-traditional subject. If I look back to when (I assume) most of us were rather young and discovering stamps. Then some really obvious good choices jump out.
To me the single most obvious choice(s) are out of the Liberty Series of standard-issue stamps. If I pick a single stamp, it would be the purple 3-cent Statue of Liberty (which I suggest is the single most iconic stamp of the last century). If I stick with the same theme but expand: the 3-cent along with the two-tone 8-cent and two-tone 11-cent Liberty. Maybe do a full “Liberty Series” sheet and add in the former presidents. Or add in all of the Revolutionary-era people. (Still think that was the classiest series ever.
My second idea would be the regular-issue “stamps we grew up licking”. Probably still start with 3-cent Liberty, but then add 4-cent pink Lincoln, the 5-cent Washington before revision, 6-cent Roosevelt, and 8-cent Eisenhower.
:
In today’s climate, the Emancipation Proclamation stamp carries deep and urgent significance. While the United States often speaks of freedom and equality, our history makes clear that those promises have not been fully realized for all people. America has not always been great for everybody, and the long struggle for justice continues. Highlighting the Emancipation Proclamation stamp through the Stamps Encore voting is a powerful opportunity to remind ourselves of the progress that has been made and the work still unfinished. It would not only honor a pivotal step toward freedom but also invite reflection on how we must continue striving for a more just and inclusive nation.
To me, this carries no significance whatsoever. To me – the work is finished. Right now, we are just beating a dead horse (no pun intended for the current year).
I would like to see one of the 19th century stamps redone. Something like one of the founding fathers redone.
It was just redone!
the very first stamp issue recorded in Scotts Stamp Catalog, listed as A-1, Benjamin Franklin, in a special issue format. It’s currently on sale by the U.S.P.S.Charlie LaRocco