U.S. Embassy in Nairobi Urges Americans in Kenya to Register Early for 3 November Midterm Elections

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued an advisory on Sept. 16, 2026 asking American citizens in Kenya to register and request absentee ballots early for the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The advisory stresses that overseas voters must follow state-specific rules and complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each year.

Why this matters for Americans in Kenya

Midterm elections determine the composition of the U.S. Congress and can affect federal policy for the remainder of a president's term. For U.S. citizens living abroad, failing to complete the correct registration and absentee ballot requests on time can mean losing the ability to vote in primaries, run-offs, or the November general election.

• Complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request (FPCA) every year, even if you've voted absentee before. The FPCA registers you to vote and requests an absentee ballot in one step for all federal elections that year.
• Use FVAP.gov's online assistant to answer state-specific questions and generate the correct FPCA form. The assistant creates a printable, signable form tailored to your state.
• Check your state's registration deadline. The embassy pointed out that some states require registration 30 days before Election Day, so waiting risks missing the cutoff.

Practical steps for overseas voters in Kenya

1. 1Visit FVAP.gov and use the online assistant to create your state-specific FPCA.

1. 1Confirm your ballot was sent and received through your state's election office or FVAP resources.

Demographic estimates show roughly 13,781 American citizens recorded in Kenya's latest comprehensive census, while other estimates place the American expatriate population around 14,000. Of those, more than 9,000 are eligible to vote in U.S. elections. The advisory is directly relevant to that community and any other U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kenya who intend to participate in the midterms.

The embassy's advisory emphasizes that deadlines vary by state and that some states require registration up to 30 days before Election Day. Because the FPCA must be completed annually to secure absentee voting, don't wait until the final weeks before Nov. 3.

If you are a U.S. citizen in Kenya and want to vote in the 2026 midterms, complete the FPCA now via FVAP.gov, check your state's deadlines, and request your absentee ballot early to avoid missing the window to participate.