The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has issued an advisory to its citizens in Kenya to register and request absentee ballots early ahead of the November 3 Mid-Term elections.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement released on Wednesday, September 16, the embassy said that voting season is officially underway and noted that registration deadlines vary by state.

Some states require voters to be registered 30 days before the election, so Americans living in Kenya have been urged to comply with the stipulated guidelines.

Whether they are first-time voters or have voted by absentee ballot before, citizens are advised to complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request, known as the FPCA, every year.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee in previous elections, you should complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request (FPCA) each year to ensure you are able to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter,” the U.S. Embassy stated.

The form lets voters register and request an absentee ballot in one step, covering all federal elections that year, from primaries and run-offs to the November general election.

The online assistant on FVAP.gov guides voters through state-specific questions before generating a form that can be printed and signed.

U.S. midterm elections are held every four years, halfway through a president’s four-year term, to determine the composition of Congress and provide a constitutional check on executive power.

The nationwide elections can alter the balance of power in Washington, potentially affecting the president’s ability to advance domestic and foreign policy priorities during the remainder of the term.

An estimated 13,000 to 14,000 U.S. citizens live in Kenya as permanent or long-term residents, according to demographic estimates tracking the American expatriate population.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke