9/14/10 Submit your Absentee Ballot Request for the General Election

The purpose of this warden message is to advise American citizens to submit absentee ballot requests now so that they can vote in of the November 2nd general elections.

There are only seven weeks until the November 2nd general election. If you have not already requested your absentee ballot, do so immediately. It's simple and it’s fast.  Go to www.FVAP.gov   and use the online registration and absentee ballot assistant to have your forms completed, printed out, and ready to send back home in less than 10 minutes. 

In some states U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, who were born abroad but have never resided in the United States are eligible to vote absentee. Please visit http://www.fvap.gov/reference/nvr-res.html to see a list of states that allow their citizens to vote absentee. 

If already registered and you do not receive your ballot by October 2, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as your back-up ballot! Go to www.FVAP.gov   and use our automated assistant to complete the FWAB.  For each office for which you vote, write in either a candidate’s name or their party designation; check your State election website for candidate information, which generally is available 45 days before the election. If you receive your State ballot after submitting the FWAB, vote and return the State ballot as well. The State will only count your FWAB if your State ballot is not received by the deadline.

At this time, voting over the Internet is not an option for U.S. citizens living abroad.  However, you can send your completed absentee ballot back to the U.S. through the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy.  There is no need for an appointment.  Please just show your US Passport at the front gate, specify that you are dropping off your stamped ballot and hand it in at the American Citizens Services window.  The total transit time to reach the U.S. will be 2 to 3 weeks.  Please allow enough time for your ballot to reach your respective state officials.

You can check www.FVPA.gov for your state’s specific election and mailing requirements along with candidate information, which generally is available 45 days before the election. Additionally some states have notarization or witnessing requirements. There is no fee for these notarial-requirements but an ACS appointment will be necessary. 

We want your feedback!  If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program or need help with the absentee voting process, please contact FVAP at www.fvap.gov,  1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.govv.   Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html.   With your feedback, we can make this even more helpful for the next election.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in the Ben Ashour neighborhood on Jeraba Street behind the former Libyan-Swiss Clinic. Our phone number is 021-337-3100 during business hours.  In an emergency involving American citizens during working hours, (Sunday-Thursday 9am-5pm except Libyan and American holidays), please call (021) 337-3250.  Outside of Libya, the number is (+218) 21-337-3250. After working hours, the number is (091) 220-5207 or (+218) 91-220-5207.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.  The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for those both residing and traveling abroad.  U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.