The hunt for US voters in UK

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By Lisa Mitchell BBC News Americans living in the UK have until Saturday to register to vote in the November presidential election. Democrats and Republicans are in feverish last-minute efforts to get their names on ballots.

Young Democrats meet for drinks and to talk politics in London

"I'm looking forward to the inaugural ball at the American Embassy. Well, you've got to hope!"

Barack Obama-supporter Jonelle Lewis-Chamberlain is pretty confident her man will be in the White House come inauguration next January.

Democrats Abroad, a group which campaigns on behalf of the party, is in a buoyant mood after a celebrity-driven assault on the UK in the past week included visits from former presidential candidate and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, and actresses Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Paltrow is the figurehead for Democrats living abroad and is casting her vote in London. An advert featuring her has had 85,000 hits on YouTube.

She and Hudson were the star turns at a $2,500 (£1,400) a head reception at the home of River Cafe chef Ruth Rodgers.

Gwyneth Paltrow asks Where on Earth Are You Going to Vote on YouTube

But more than dollars, both Democrats and Republicans are desperate to capture the votes of the some 250,000 Americans living in the UK.

It may be a tiny percentage of voters compared to those in the US but they could be significant.

Just 537 votes in Florida won George W Bush the presidency in 2000 and if, as is predicted, the contest is a tight one this year, those overseas ballots could make all the difference.

Event manager Jonelle has already registered but is still waiting for her postal ballot to arrive.

Meanwhile, she's telling every American she meets how they can vote.

"I know that if I can get an American registered, nine times out of 10 they will vote for Barack Obama," said the 31-year-old from Philadelphia.

"The sympathies of most Americans abroad seem to mesh with his policies." Especially in the battleground states, both parties have realised that the six million Americans that live abroad are a source of votes that can make a difference Bill BarnardDemocrats Abroad UK

Republicans would beg to differ, but there is no doubt Democrats Abroad are a more visible force.

The party's big guns have been sent over to drum up funds and votes. Michelle Obama has been in London three times in the past year.

"Especially in the battleground states, both parties have realised that the six million Americans that live abroad are a source of votes that can make a difference," said Bill Barnard, chairman of Democrats Abroad UK.

Sports bars

The Republicans have a ready source of voters in the military, some of whom will be stationed on bases in Britain when their homeland votes on 4 November.

Not all voter drives are partisan. The Democrat and Republican groups run joint campaigns at Canary Warf, the American School in London, the Wimbledon tennis championships and bars showing US sports. Last weekend, they were outside the London branches of American emporium Whole Foods in Kensington and on Oxford Street.

In Scotland, Americans starting university were targeted.

Mike Heffron, a journalist in Glasgow, said stalls set up during freshers' weeks and a Facebook site brought in 200 new voters.

Jonelle Lewis-Chamberlain says voting is a 'victory for being an American'

"We want as many people as possible to exercise their democratic right to vote," said Stacy Hilliard, a Texan Republican working for Yorkshire MP Philip Davies.

She says because of the tightness of this year's race, interest in voting is stronger than ever, "particularly in the UK because there has been so much coverage".

But also, for her countrymen and women struggling in the current financial crisis, policies decided in Washington can have a very direct impact.

"We're the only country to double-tax expats. In Britain, where the cost of living is so high, you really feel it," said the 31 year old.

"[John] McCain wants to cut taxing and cut spending. Obama's only plans are to increase spending. If he gets in, for a lot of Americans overseas, their taxes are going to go up."

Fundraising is not as much of an issue for the Republican group because it is separate from McCain's campaign. What is important to them is that Republicans get out and vote.

Their traditional hunting ground is the City. But with big US banks taking knocks, the UK-based group is feeling the effect.

"We had an event planned with Lehman Brothers, but it collapsed the week before," said Miki Bowman, chairman of Republicans Abroad UK.

However, both groups think the economic crisis has helped to galvanise people's determination to vote.

"I don't know what else can happen to make this election more exciting!" said Stacy Hilliard.

And if the $10,000 (£5,600) price tag of a plate at the Gore lunch is anything to go by, there are Americans in the UK who care very much about making their voices heard from 3,500 miles away.