US Embassy in Doha Assists American Citizens with Voting Process

Phillip Starkweather American Citizens Services Chief at the US embassy in Doha

American citizens in Qatar can submit their ballots or absentee ballot requests for the upcoming elections at the US embassy in Doha without an appointment. According to Phillip Starkweather, Chief of American Citizens Services at the embassy, voting materials can be dropped off between Monday and Thursday from 10am to 11:30am.

Starkweather emphasized that the embassy aims to make voting as straightforward as possible for US citizens in Qatar, doing so in a nonpartisan manner. “At the US State Department, one of our primary aims abroad is to support US citizens, and facilitating voting is a key part of that,” he stated.

He pointed out that many US elections have been decided by a small margin, underscoring the importance of absentee ballots. US states are required to count every valid absentee ballot received by the deadline.

American citizens can visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website to get information on voting overseas and to request an absentee ballot. Voting materials with US postage can be dropped off at the embassy, and a postage-paid return envelope can also be printed from the FVAP website.

“Each US jurisdiction has its own procedures, and the FVAP website helps US voters abroad find their state's process. We can then accept the ballots at the embassy,” Starkweather said.

Starkweather shared these details during an interview with The Peninsula at a recent Town Hall event organized by the Consular Services and American Citizens Services sections of the US Embassy Doha, along with AmCham Qatar, at Georgetown University in Qatar.

The event aimed to foster closer relations and address community concerns, providing American expatriates with a platform to engage directly with embassy officials. It highlighted essential services offered by the embassy and guidance on participating in upcoming elections, reinforcing the embassy’s commitment to supporting its citizens abroad. US Ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and chiefs of each embassy section, along with the Executive Director of AmCham Qatar, presented insights into their missions and objectives.

“We had a Q&A session where attendees could ask questions about the presentations or raise other concerns. Accessibility to government officials is important to us, and we value hearing from the community,” Starkweather said.

He emphasized that engaging with the US citizen community and communicating the embassy’s work were key aims of the event. “We support US businesses, educational institutions, and have a strong relationship with the Qatari government. We wanted to share that work with the public,” he said, adding that the event also focused on timely issues like voting in the upcoming elections.

The embassy has launched a new website, tinyurl.com/DohaACS, to communicate with US citizens for information, inquiries, and appointments. In emergencies, US citizens in Qatar can reach the consular section after hours at 974-4496-6000.

Xiomara Henriquez, Executive Director of AmCham Qatar, noted positive feedback from the event. Attendees appreciated the informative presentations and interactive Q&A, expressing a desire for more such events. They also enjoyed familiar food provided by Pure Eats’s catering and viewing the model of the new US Embassy, scheduled to open in 2026.

Andrea Cecetka, a US Embassy Citizen Liaison Volunteer, described the event as insightful. “It was very informative, and I now have a better understanding of how to exercise my right to vote overseas,” she said, noting that it was refreshing to interact with embassy personnel in a more interactive environment.

Encouraged by the positive response, the embassy plans to host similar events in the future.

 

Source: The Peninsula Qatar