RIYADH: The US Embassy has opened a special desk to help its citizens in the Kingdom cast their votes for the presidential elections scheduled for Nov. 4.
“The Embassy of the United States of America in Riyadh is committed to assisting US citizens with the voting process and providing a number of services to those seeking assistance or information,” Erin Pelton, deputy press attache of the mission, told Arab News yesterday.
There are approximately 30, 000-35,000 US citizens in the Kingdom, she added. A Voting Assistance Officer is available by phone or e-mail to answer questions about absentee voting. US citizens may contact the Voting Assistance Officer by phone at +966-1-488-3800 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Voted ballots may be mailed to local election officials in the United States from the US Embassy or its consulate. Erin pointed out that all citizens residing in the Kingdom were encouraged to sign up through the State Department website (www.travel.state.gov) to receive the embassy’s messages.
“Several messages have been sent recently to explain how to begin the absentee voting process, reminding citizens to register to vote, and informing them of the embassy services available throughout the voting process.”
In June, the US Embassy offered two Voting Assistance Workshops to train citizens help other Americans register and submit absentee ballots from Saudi Arabia.
“There was a good response from the American expatriates to these two events and it showed their interest in the elections,” Erin said.
The official said that those US citizens who have registered to vote but have not received their absentee ballots, may download an emergency ballot and send it back in time to meet their state’s ballot receipt deadline.
The emergency ballot, known as the SF-186, Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is available online at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefwab.html or from the US Embassy or consulate.
“Last-minute voters should consider using an express courier service to deliver their ballots. A few states also accept completed ballots by fax or e-mail,” she said.
Asked about the deadline for absentee voting, Erin said that it differs from state to state. Each state has different voting procedures, deadlines, and requirements for completing the application form, she said.
