Important Information from the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi

To vote in the November 2024 election, U.S. citizens overseas need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2024.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each calendar year to ensure you can participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter. 

You can always get voting assistance from the Embassy and Consulate and can drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, during the following hours:

• Abu Dhabi: U.S. citizens wishing to drop off completed ballots can do so inside the entrance to the Embassy’s Consular Section on Safarat Street between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Fridays.  Please bring identification and inform the guard you would like to drop off voting materials.  The guard will show you to the drop-box where you can leave your completed ballot package.

• Dubai: U.S. citizens wishing to drop off completed ballots can do so at the Consulate General’s consular entrance on Al Seef Road between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays.  Please bring identification and inform the guard you would like to drop off voting materials.  The guard will show you to the drop-box where you can leave your completed ballot package.

 Normal transit time from the UAE to the United States is four weeks. 

 Even if you have never voted while overseas before, the process is easy.

 

1. Request your ballot. Complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).  You must complete a new FPCA after January 1, 2024, to ensure you receive your ballot for the 2024 elections.  Submitting the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted.  All local election officials in all U.S. states and territories accept the FPCA.

You can complete the FPCA online at FVAP.gov.  The online voting assistant will ask you questions specific to your state.  We encourage you to request your blank ballots be delivered electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state).  Include your email address on your FPCA to take advantage of the electronic ballot delivery option.  Return the FPCA per the instructions on the website.  The online voting assistant will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically or if you must submit a paper copy with original ink signature.  If you must return a paper version, please follow the same instructions below for returning your ballot.

2. Receive and complete your ballot. States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and generally send ballots at least 30 days before primary elections.  For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online.
3. Return your completed ballot. While some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically, others do not.  If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials, you can do so free of charge at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Place your ballot in a postage-paid return envelope, or in an envelope bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, and address it to the relevant local election officials.  

Research candidates and issues. Please see the FVAP links page for resources you can use to research candidates and issues.  FVAP regularly sends information about election dates and deadlines through their Voting Alerts.  Email [email protected] to subscribe or follow FVAP on Facebook or Twitter.

Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov.  If you have any questions about the process of voting while overseas, please contact Abu Dhabi's Voting Assistance Officer at +971 2 414 2200 or at [email protected]; or contact Dubai’s Voting Assistance Officer at +971 4 309 4000 or at [email protected]. 

Remember, your vote counts!