US issues voting guide for citizens in Nigeria ahead of elections

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a comprehensive guide to assist American citizens residing in Nigeria in voting in the upcoming November 5, 2024 elections.

In a statement shared by the mission on its X handle on Monday, It outlined the steps U.S. citizens must take to ensure their votes are counted.

The statement reads, “Attention U.S. citizens residing in Nigeria! To vote in the November 2024 elections, U.S. citizens overseas must complete three steps:

“(1) Request a ballot. Visit http://FVAP.gov for instructions. (2) Receive and complete your ballot. (3) Return your ballot.

“You may drop off your completed ballot in a postage-paid envelope at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, or you may mail it yourself.”

According to the guide, the voting process for US citizens living in Nigeria involves three key steps:

1. Request a Ballot: U.S. citizens must first request their ballots by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at [FVAP.gov](http://FVAP.gov). The site provides detailed instructions on how to request a ballot and other resources for overseas voters.

2. Complete the Ballot: Once the ballot is received, voters should fill it out according to the provided instructions.

3. 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 US Mission advised citizens to complete these steps promptly to avoid delays that could affect their ability to participate in the election.

The U.S. general elections, set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, will feature the presidential race, congressional elections, and numerous state and local contests.

The presidential race is a key battle between former president Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Meanwhile, the first early voters began casting their ballots on Friday for the closely contested U.S. presidential election in November, as Democratic candidate Kamala Harris attended a campaign event focused on the controversial issue of abortion.

Early voting kicked off in three states—Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota—a practice that Republican nominee Donald Trump has previously criticized, following his false claims of victory in the 2020 election.