The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has released a detailed guide for American citizens residing in Nigeria, outlining the steps they need to take to vote in the upcoming U.S. elections scheduled for November 5, 2024.
In a statement shared on its X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the mission emphasized the importance of U.S. citizens overseas participating in the electoral process and provided a clear breakdown of how they can ensure their votes are counted.
The voting guide consists of three main steps:
- Request a Ballot: U.S. citizens must first request their ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov, which provides comprehensive instructions and resources for overseas voters.
- Complete the Ballot: After receiving their ballots, voters are required to fill them out according to the instructions provided.
- Return the Ballot: Completed ballots can be returned either by dropping them off at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos in a postage-paid envelope, or by mailing them directly.
The U.S. Mission urged citizens to begin the process early to avoid delays that could prevent their participation in the election.
The general elections in November 2024 will include the highly anticipated presidential race, congressional elections, and various state and local contests. The presidential election sees a key contest between former President Donald Trump, representing the Republican Party, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.
In addition to the voting guidance, the U.S. Mission highlighted that early voting has already commenced in some U.S. states, including Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota, where voters cast their ballots beginning on Friday. Early voting, which has been a point of controversy, particularly with Trump’s previous opposition to the practice, will play a significant role in the 2024 election.
At the same time, Kamala Harris has been actively campaigning, with a recent focus on the contentious issue of abortion rights. This issue, along with several other policy debates, is expected to be a focal point of the election.
The U.S. Mission’s guide underscores the importance of timely participation by overseas citizens in what is expected to be one of the most closely contested U.S. elections in recent years.
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