US political parties hope to lure overseas voters to presidential election

Both Democrats and Republicans are calling on US citizens in the Emirates to play their part in what they are calling the most important election in a generation.

Tony Graham, who volunteers for Democrats Abroad, says they expect ‘to get 20,000 votes from the UAE’. Natalie Naccache for The National

DUBAI // It promises to be a tight race to the White House as battle lines are drawn ahead of the US presidential elections in November, with Americans living in the UAE encouraged to register to vote.

The Democratic and Republican parties are calling on US citizens here to play their part in what they are calling the most important election in a generation.

Former banker and part-time stand-up comic Tony Graham volunteers for Democrats Abroad. He said the online voting process could not be simpler, or more secure.

And on the other side of the political divide, Dr Steven Anderson, who represents Republicans Overseas, said he was happy to offer advice for anyone wishing to cast their vote this year.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have polarised views among the electorate in America and abroad, and that is likely to encourage a big voter turnout, according to Mr Graham.

“It is without question the most important election in America for at least a generation,” he said. “When people are worried about the future, they are often drawn to more radical messages.

“A lot of people are alarmed at which way it could go. The divisive rhetoric we have been hearing is alarming.”

The US embassy estimates that there are anywhere between 50,000 and 70,000 Americans living in the UAE.

The March primaries elicited an unprecedented turnout from overseas voters – up 50 per cent from 2008, with 34,570 voters casting their ballots from more than 170 countries through in-person voting, by fax, email and post.

“We would love to get 20,000 votes from the UAE for us,” said Mr Graham. “It is a big challenge but people are motivated to vote.”

Americans living abroad must vote in the state where they were last registered as a resident. Depending on the state’s local election rules, many will be able to register online and then vote via email.

Dr Anderson said Republicans wishing to go through the voter registration process could get assistance through the traditional method of contacting either the US embassy in Abu Dhabi or the consulate in Dubai.

“Republicans Overseas overlaps that activity provided for by the United States embassy and consulate by also doing our best to assist Republican Americans living overseas, in this case the Emirates, to register,” he said.

“The best way to start the process is by reaching out to us.”

For more information go online to www.republicansoverseas-uae.com or www.democratsabroad.org/ae. Americans can register to vote at www.votefromabroad.org.