American expatriates residing in the UAE have been actively participating in the recent presidential election, either through online platforms or by utilizing the postal ballot system available at the US embassy or consulates. The election officially concluded on Tuesday, November 5.

In a recent statement to Khaleej Times, the Consular Chiefs at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai revealed, "Several hundred absentee ballots have been submitted by US citizens living in the UAE. While exact registration figures are not available, we are hopeful that this year's voter turnout will exceed that of 2020."

For those who chose to cast their votes on the final day, the mission emphasized the importance of bringing a US passport as identification when dropping off ballots. "US citizens in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can vote by mail by submitting their completed ballots at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the US Consulate in Dubai. The ballots should be placed in a signed and sealed envelope addressed to the voter's local election office. Voters are advised to verify the mailing address, deadlines, and other requirements specific to their state by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program's website at fvap.gov. Many states mandate that ballots be postmarked and mailed no later than election day, November 5. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai can assist in mailing voted ballots back to the United States and provide guidance on local mailing options and estimated mail transit times," the statement detailed.

Meanwhile, expatriates in the UAE noted the varying levels of flexibility offered by different US states. While some states facilitated online voting, others required the mailing of physical ballots, which could be costly and challenging for those living overseas. Notably, US citizens received their absentee ballots via email, fax, or internet download, depending on their state's regulations, with various submission methods allowed.

The current US Vice-President, Democrat Kamala Harris, and former President Republican Donald Trump have been fiercely contesting the election for weeks. The announcement of a projected winner could be delayed by several hours, days, or even weeks, depending on the closeness of the race.

Gina Bou Serhal, an American expatriate in the UAE, expressed her gratitude for being able to vote online from the state of Nevada. "We simply need to register in advance with all our details and receive a ballot via email. We then fill it out and send it back. The process couldn't be easier. However, it's tricky because states have different rules. Some, like Nevada, make it very easy and flexible for those living abroad, while others require mailing a physical copy of the ballot, which can be challenging and expensive," she explained.

The analyst also highlighted the significance of this election for peace in the Middle East. "I believe the Harris camp will be more inclined towards diplomatic efforts to achieve sustainable peace in Gaza. With Trump, we might see a harder line approach towards Iran, applying economic pressure to bring them to the negotiation table. It's difficult to predict, as both candidates have been somewhat vague. Additionally, Harris is part of the current administration, and given the fluid events in the region, she cannot significantly differentiate her policies from Biden's. Therefore, it's challenging to discern her Middle East policy once she takes office," said the resident who has been in the UAE for 17 years.

Dubai resident Aaron Jon shared his experience of sending in his postal vote a few weeks prior. "We utilized the absentee voting system, allowing us to vote from abroad. I mailed the envelope about three weeks ago," he said, expressing his nervousness about the election's outcome, which is expected to be one of the most closely contested in American history.

Savannah Collins, who arrived in the UAE seven months ago, cast her vote at the American consulate. "I'm originally from New York State, and I recently voted at the American consulate. I don't anticipate any drastic changes post-elections; things will likely continue as usual. I'm thankful for this opportunity to engage, especially from abroad, and to be living in this remarkable country," she said, adding, "Sometimes, there's a lot of negative propaganda about this region, but the reality is that it offers numerous incredible opportunities that often go unnoticed."

Residents eagerly await the election results, which may take longer to arrive this year due to changes in election administration since 2020 across various states, including seven key swing states that will ultimately determine the outcome.

Natalia Miranda, an American expatriate in Dubai who couldn't cast her vote, expressed excitement about the days following Tuesday. "Each election phase will close between 7 and 8 pm on Tuesday, with around 40% of the votes likely counted by Wednesday, UAE time. We know absentee ballots have been coming in for a while, as they were sent out in advance," she said.

Although no in-person events are scheduled specifically for Election Day, US citizens are encouraged to contact VoteAbuDhabi@state.gov or VoteDubai@state.gov for additional guidance on voting by mail. U.S. citizens cannot vote in person at US embassies or consulates.

—With inputs from Nasreen Abdulla

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