Special Elections

• Please see the Upcoming Election Calendar at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website to see if your state has upcoming special primaries or special elections.
• For Ohio voters, please review information at the State of Ohio Voter Passport webpage to find information regarding the August 8, 2023, special election.

Other Special Elections and Primaries

• While U.S. Citizens can drop off their ballots for special elections, realize that even though the Embassy will postmark the ballots, the time needed for the ballot to reach the U.S. and then your local election office may exceed 4-6 weeks.
• Voters from all states can verify the status of their voting materials by contacting their election office 
• Voters who do not receive their requested ballot in time to return it by the ballot return deadline, can send the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to their election office as a backup ballot. If the voter’s official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, he or she may complete and submit the official ballot, too. Only one ballot will be counted.
• Consider contacting the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP.gov, call toll free 1-800-438-VOTE, or email vote@fvap.gov) or your local election office directly if you have a question about your participation in elections as an absentee voter.

Ballot and Federal Post Card Application drop-off times

• Rules vary by state on how to submit your ballot and other voting materials; some states may allow you to cast your vote by email or online.
• If you wish to submit your ballot, Federal Post Card Application, or other voting materials through the U.S. postal system via the Embassy, your ballot must be signed and sealed in an envelope addressed to your election official, either with U.S. postage affixed or using postage-paid return envelope available from FVAP. You may drop off your (signed and sealed) ballot at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. or at the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai on Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (except on UAE or US holidays).
• As an alternative, you may also mail your ballot and other voting materials directly to election officials via international mail.
• If you need additional assistance, please contact VoteAbuDhabi@state.gov or VoteDubai@state.gov