Voting Rights for Unhoused Citizens: Registering and Casting Your Ballot

In theory, any U.S. citizen over 18 who meets their state’s legal requirements can vote. No state has a law that says unhoused people cannot vote, so the lack of a permanent address should not keep anyone from voting. 

However, the theory and the reality are quite different. Sadly, many states’ voting requirements – such as asking for an official government ID – make it difficult for people experiencing homelessness to vote. Fortunately, some states have crafted creative ways to help unhoused people exercise their voting rights.

This article discusses some challenges unhoused people face when exercising their right to vote. However, civil rights laws about voting and other topics are constantly changing. After reading this article, discuss your situation with an experienced civil rights attorney near you. 

Do I Need a Permanent Address to Register to Vote? 

No. All state voter registration forms ask potential voters to provide an address. However, states also recognize that homelessness affects thousands of people every day. As such, all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow people to list an alternative place of residence when they register to vote. Some examples include: 

• Homeless shelters
• Outdoor locations (e.g., an underpass or street corner) 
• P.O. Boxes 
• Local courthouses or offices 

Bottom line: An election official cannot refuse to register you because you don’t have a permanent address. 

Can I Vote if I’m Between Addresses? 

For safety and other reasons, many unhoused people move frequently. How being between addresses affects your voter status depends on your state.

In California, if you’re between places, you can use your last known address until you establish a more permanent location. In Nebraska, unhoused people are registered as residents of the entire county, so as long as you haven’t moved out of the county, your registration should remain intact. The rules vary from state to state, so ask a local nonprofit or experienced civil rights attorney about navigating the process in your area. 

Can Homeless People Vote by Mail or Use Absentee Ballots? 

Technically, yes. But for many unhoused people, these forms of voting present challenges. States usually send these ballots to the address listed on a voter’s registration form. But people without permanent addresses can face issues if:

• The shelter or other listed place closes or can no longer accept mail
• There are difficulties delivering the ballot to a public location like a park
• The unhoused voter can no longer get to the place that accepts their mail 

If you don’t have a permanent address and want to vote by mail or absentee ballot, stay in touch with your shelter or designated mail recipient to ensure they can still collect your mail. If you change your official mailing address, immediately alert your local election office. 

Do I Need an ID to Vote? 

It depends on your state. At present, 37 states have voter ID laws. These laws require people to provide a government-approved form of identification – usually a photo ID – before voting. Even in states that don’t need ID, first-time voters may have to show identification during their first in-person trip to the polls. 

Unhoused people face many barriers to getting official ID cards, including cost and lack of transportation. Worse, most states ask people to provide verification documents like passports or birth certificates before issuing an official ID. People without traditional homes often find keeping track of these essential documents challenging. Fortunately, nonprofits in many states help unhoused people secure IDs for voting and other purposes. As described below, some states have exceptions that allow people without IDs to vote under certain circumstances.

Why Is it Important to Bring My ID When I Vote? 

If you don’t bring your ID to the polling place, your vote may not count. Again, what happens depends on the law in your state. 

The majority of state voter ID laws include exceptions. In these states, if you don’t have your ID on election day, your vote may still count if you fall within one of these exemptions. Standard exceptions allow states to accept your vote if: 

• You sign an affidavit 
• Election officials recognize you and vouch for your identity
• Your election day signature matches your signature in the voter rolls 
• You can provide personal information (birth date, driver’s license, Social Security number) that matches your voter records
• You can prove that you have a good reason for not having an ID, such as poverty or lack of documentation (e.g., birth certificate)

However, in a minority of states, voters who come to the polls without ID must cast provisional ballots. Provisional ballots are votes set aside because there are questions about a voter’s registration status or eligibility. The vote won’t be counted unless the issues are resolved.

In states with the strictest voter ID laws, the only way to have your vote counted is to quickly provide some form of identification to the voting officials, usually within three to five days of the election. If you cannot, your vote will not count. 

What Should I Do if Someone Is Interfering with My Voting Rights? 

Voting is every American’s right. Many states have taken steps to make voting easier for unhoused people. Unfortunately, these laws are not always followed or adequately enforced. If you believe someone has interfered with your right to vote, talk to an attorney immediately. Use the LawInfo directory to find a civil rights attorney near you.