Register to vote, overseas Americans reminded

Abu Dhabi - American expats are requested to complete a Federal Post Card Application, which can be completed online at FVAP.gov.

American citizens living in the UAE are being urged to register in time to vote for the 2016 elections in the United States.
A note on the website of the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi noted that many US elections for House and Senate have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by voters overseas.
All 50 American states and the District of Columbia are required to count each and every absentee ballot, as long as it is valid and reached local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline.
To register, American expats are requested to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which allows one to request absentee ballots for federal office elections, which includes the office of the President, US Senate, and the House of Representatives. FPCAs can be completed online at FVAP.gov, in which an 'online voting assistant' will ask state-specific questions.
"We encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, Internet download or fax, depending on your state)," the website noted. "Include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option."
Once the FPCA is returned as per the instructions on the website, FVAP.gov will inform would-be voters if the FPCA is to be returned electronically, or as a paper copy with original signature.
States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office. Most states allow for confirmation of registration and ballot delivery online.
If a state requires the return of paper voting forms or ballots, one can do so at either at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi or at the Consulate-General in Dubai. Those who elect to mail their ballot via the embassy have the options of sending through US mail, which costs the normal US domestic postage rates, or through diplomatic pouch, which requires no postage but may take up to six weeks.
Americans are also being urged to research issues as well as the candidates and their policy positions. To learn more about the elections or state-specific voting rules, the US government provides a large number of useful links at fvap.gov/links.
More than 50,000 American citizens are believed to reside in the UAE.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi