John Scalzi led the project that was the first Hugo Voter Packet in 2008. In 2010, administration of the HVP was assumed by the individual Worldcon committees. So it's a relatively recent addition to the Hugo Awards. I will go back and edit the post above to insert that information.
I hope it is clear to everyone that there hasn't always been a Hugo Voter Packet, and there is no guarantee that there always will be. It requires a whole lot of work to make it happen, and it depends entirely upon the willingness of the rights-holders to donate the material. They don't have to make the material available, and Worldcons are not required to do the work to administer the packet.
no subject
I hope it is clear to everyone that there hasn't always been a Hugo Voter Packet, and there is no guarantee that there always will be. It requires a whole lot of work to make it happen, and it depends entirely upon the willingness of the rights-holders to donate the material. They don't have to make the material available, and Worldcons are not required to do the work to administer the packet.