The United States Mission in Nigeria has released a detailed voting guide to assist American citizens residing in Nigeria in participating in the upcoming November 2024 elections. This initiative aims to ensure that U.S. citizens abroad can exercise their right to vote in what promises to be a significant election year.
In a post shared via the mission’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, September 23, the U.S. Mission outlined a three-step process for overseas voters:
Request a ballot: U.S. citizens must visit FVAP.gov for instructions on how to request their ballot.
Receive and complete the ballot: Once received, voters should carefully fill out their ballots according to the provided instructions
Return the ballot: Completed ballots can be returned in two ways – either dropped off in a postage-paid envelope at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, or mailed directly by the voter.
The mission emphasized the importance of completing these steps promptly to avoid any delays that could affect participation in the election.
The 2024 U.S. election calendar includes several significant dates.
November 5, 2024 is the general election day, featuring the presidential race, congressional elections, and numerous state and local contests. A U.S. Senate special general election will be held in Nebraska, alongside one for Congressional District 8 in Wisconsin.
On December 3, 2024, General runoff elections will hold in Arkansas and Georgia. On December 7, 2024: a general runoff election also in Louisiana.
These runoff elections, necessitated when no candidate achieves the required majority in the general election, will be crucial in deciding the outcomes of unresolved contests.
The presidential race is shaping up to be a key battle between former president Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Early voting has already begun in three states – Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota – a practice that has drawn criticism from Republican nominee Donald Trump following his disputed claims about the 2020 election.
As the election approaches, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria urges American citizens abroad to stay informed and take advantage of the resources provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program to make their voices heard in the 2024 elections.
