Homeless vote in United States

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

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