Location: Bahrain
Event: Upcoming U.S. Elections
Be an Active Voter – Be Prepared for Upcoming Federal Elections!
Many states have upcoming primary elections, and the November 8 General Election is not far away! Make sure you can participate by registering to vote and requesting your absentee ballot by your state’s deadline. You can use the Federal Voter Assistance Program’s (FVAP) easy online resource at www.fvap.gov/FPCA to walk through each section of the form. After you finish filling out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print it, sign it, and send it to your election office. Most states accept the FPCA by email or fax while some require it by mail. Check your state-specific guidelines at FVAP.gov.
Pro Tips:
- Once you receive your absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as possible. Remember to carefully follow the instructions, especially if a “security envelope” is required, and sign the package as indicated when returning it.
- To save time, send voted ballots electronically if allowed by state law. Voters can check if their state accepts completed absentee ballots by email, fax, or via an online portal at FVAP.gov/guide.
- If a requested ballot has not arrived in time, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) at www.fvap.gov/FWAB. It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted. The Embassy has a limited supply of FWABs – if you need one, please email ManamaConsular@state.gov.
- Make sure the voted ballot is received by your state. Go to FVAP.gov, click on your state and then the “check the status of your voted ballot” button.
- Be an educated voter. Check out the FVAP links pagefor helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues.
- To receive information by email about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP’s Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook and Twitter.
Returning Your Ballot:
The Embassy can assist in mailing your ballot! If you are sending your ballot through U.S. Embassy Manama, ballots can be dropped off at our blue Dropbox located next to the Visitor’s parking lot. Ballots are collected daily, Sunday through Thursday, and ballots can be dropped off at any time.
Do not drop off a ballot without first placing it in a sealed, properly addressed envelope with correct postage. Ballots must be placed in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities. You can download the postage paid envelope (PDF 134 KB) from the FVAP.gov website.
If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact Embassy Manama’s Voting Assistance Officer at VoteManama@state.gov or ManamaConsular@state.gov.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy in Manama
+973-1724-2700 - Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj, P.O. Box 26431
Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain - State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Bahrain Country Information
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