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Homeless vote in United States

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The number of homeless people in U.S., age 18 and above, is around half a million (541,484) at any given point in 2023 according to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR).[1] The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that, at each election, around 10% of the homeless exercise the right to vote.[2]

Barriers to homeless vote

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There are barriers for the homeless to register to vote. They may lack a place of residence, a mailing address or a form of identification.[3] Having a place to live is not a prerequisite to vote. As argued in 1984 case Pitts v. Black, people are eligible to vote even if they do not live in traditional accommodations.[4] The cost of transport to the ballot station is also an obstacle for the homeless to vote as well as the feeling of being politically disenfranchised.[5]

For registration purpose homeless can use the mailing address of shelters or churches or post offices. Each state has its own voter registration requirements.[6]

Point-In-Time Estimates of Homelessness in U.S.
Year Elections Est. number of homeless Est. age 18 and above
2012[7] Presidential 633,782 N/a
2014[8] Midterm 578,424 439,602
2016[9] Presidential 549,928 429,109
2018[10] Midterm 552,830 441,238
2020[11] Presidential 580,466 474,102
2022[12] Midterm 582,462 484,218

References

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  1. ^ "The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report". U.S. HUD.
  2. ^ "Why We Should Care About the Homeless Vote". National Coalition for the Homeless.
  3. ^ "The Potential Voters Everyone Forgets". Newsweek.
  4. ^ "Pitts v. Black, 608 F. Supp. 696". Justia.
  5. ^ "Homeless disenfranchisement in the United States". Street Sense Media.
  6. ^ "State Voter Registration Regulations_2024". National Coalition for the Homeless.
  7. ^ "The 2012 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
  8. ^ "The 2014 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
  9. ^ "The 2016 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
  10. ^ "The 2018 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
  11. ^ "The 2020 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
  12. ^ "The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report" (PDF). U.S. HUD.
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