The Strength to End Homelessness Lies In The Power of YOUR Vote!

Introduction
Equal access to the right to vote is a crucial part of maintaining a true democracy. Voting allows people
to play a part in deciding the direction of their communities by voicing their opinion on issues that are
important and relevant to their lives. Each election, low income and homeless individuals vote at a lower
rate than people with higher incomes, despite the fact that many policy decisions directly impact people
who are economically disadvantaged. Currently, issues such as raising the minimum wage and funding
certain social welfare and housing programs are being debated in the U.S. Congress and in communities
around the country. In order for our government to truly represent the people, citizens must vote--
especially those who are economically disadvantaged.
For years, homeless citizens have had obstacles to registering. In the 1984 case Pitts v. Black, 608
F.Supp. 696 (S.D.N.Y. 1984), a federal court in New York explicitly found that homeless persons could
not be denied the right to vote just because they did not live in a traditional residence. Courts deciding
subsequent cases from around the country came to similar conclusions. Although it has been established
that homeless individuals do not need to live in a traditional residence to register to vote, other obstacles
remain. Today, many homeless and low income individuals may not have the appropriate identification
documents required by some states to register or to vote. Furthermore, many individuals who are
experiencing homelessness may lack the resources to educate themselves about candidates or may not be
able to get to the polls on Election Day.
To overcome these obstacles and encourage greater voter participation among low income and homeless
citizens, the National Coalition for the Homeless and other national advocacy groups are collaborating to
co-sponsor National Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration initiatives such as the National
Homeless and Low-Income Voter Registration Week on October 2 - 8, 2011 and September 30 – October
6, 2012. This manual seeks to promote voting access for low income and homeless persons to ensure that
people who are economically disadvantaged maintain an active role and voice in shaping their future.
The manual is designed to provide ideas to help overcome the many obstacles that prevent people
experiencing homelessness from becoming registered, active voters. In the manual we outline multiple
strategies to register, educate, and mobilize voters. We also provide information about common legal
issues facing homeless voters, several State-by-State Charts of Homeless People’s Voting Rights, and
selected court decisions that have expressly protected homeless persons’ voting rights.
By working together with homeless persons, low income individuals, and advocates around the country,
our organizations hope to help homeless and low income persons make their voices heard on Election
Day.
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