With the US presidential race looming, new US Consul Adam Vogelzang has called for US citizens in Bermuda to take note of changes in their country’s voting laws.As part of the US government’s efforts to reach out to Americans living abroad, the Island’s US community must register to cast their votes in state primaries and the upcoming presidential election.Asked if he had any election tips, Mr Vogelzang shook his head. “Nothing I can share,” he said.However, he added: “It’s important for Americans who vote to play an active role, because this gives you a choice. At the moment with the primaries, voters have a chance to choose who runs.”Mr Vogelzang said: “President Obama will face serious challenges, whoever he faces.”Americans living abroad no longer receive their ballots based on previous absentee ballot requests. Voting in primary and general elections means a new Federal Post Card Application, which can be made quickly online.To demonstrate the Federal Voting Assistance Programme’s website, Mr Vogelzang invited The Royal Gazette to observe his own registration as a Michigan native. That state’s primary is set for February 28. The Consul registered at his home county in about five minutes.Mr Vogelzang received his primary ballot, electronically, a few hours later.US authorities are keen to promote the website, to aid overseas citizens and avoid the occasional problem of Americans arriving at the US Consulate in the hope of casting their votes.As Consul, Mr Vogelzang is effectively second in command to US Consul General Grace Shelton. New to Bermuda since October, he said his posting here was his first visit to the Island. “It’s a lot sunnier than Canada,” he added, having served from 2008 to 2011 as Chief of the American Citizen Services Unit in US Consulate General in Toronto.He has also served in Mexico and Armenia.Asked what about Bermuda had surprised him, Mr Vogelzang said: “The gale force winds so far.”He added: “At 65,000 people, Bermuda is like a small town, but of course it’s a whole country. You have your own customs, your own Premier and Parliament all these layers pulled together as one. For a small place, that’s impressive.”Useful website: www.FVAP.gov.