Homeless vote in United States

A homeless encampment in San Jose, California

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

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 purposes, homeless people can use the mailing address of shelters or religious institutions or post offices. Each state has its own voter registration requirements.[6]

Point-In-Time Estimates of Homelessness in U.S.
YearElectionsEst. number of homelessEst. age 18 and above
2012[7]Presidential633,782N/a
2014[8]Midterm578,424439,602
2016[9]Presidential549,928429,109
2018[10]Midterm552,830441,238
2020[11]Presidential580,466474,102
2022[12]Midterm582,462484,218

References

  1. ↑ "The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report". U.S. HUD.
  2. ↑ "Why We Should Care About the Homeless Vote". National Coalition for the Homeless. 10 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Potential Voters Everyone Forgets". Newsweek. 11 May 2024.
  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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