News and Politics | July 29, 2008 | 47 comments

More homeless people expected to vote this fall

source: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/More_homeless_people_expected_to_vote_0729.html

Image
bansheewail
Among the record number of voters expected to cast ballots this fall may be an increase from an often-invisible population - the homeless.Advocacy groups and shelters across the country have stepped up efforts to register the 3.5 million people who drift in and out of homelessness in the United States."Just because we're homeless or low income doesn't mean we don't have an opinion," said Estelle Bearcub, who plans to vote for Barack Obama. "It's our right to vote. And it's our right to have our opinion count, too."The homeless have sometimes struggled to participate in the political process, in large part because of requirements in Washington and 39 other states that voters list a mailing address.Volunteers encourage transient voters to use the address of the shelter or soup kitchen they frequent in order to receive an absentee ballot. In states that require a physical address, voters can list a park or intersection where they sleep.Bearcub has an absentee ballot delivered to the soup kitchen where she eats lunch most every day."It works pretty well," she said, standing outside Bremerton's Salvation Army post, where a banner announcing a voter registration drive flapped in the breeze. "They keep it real safe. We've never had any problems."Inside the Salvation Army, volunteer Walter Washington acknowledged that some homeless people don't care about politics."But others, they know what's going on, and they have their views," he said.Michael Stoops, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said his agency's efforts have been particularly effective this year because of intense interest in the presidential race."I've never seen it like this," said Stoops, who has been registering homeless voters since 1984. "We're going to see increased turnout across the board."In West Palm Beach, Fla., advocates registered more than 100 people in a week. Now they're scrambling to train volunteers to continue the work through September."Our main goal is to dispel the myth that because they don't have a roof over their head, they're not entitled to the vote," said Rita Clark, the county's homeless coalition director.In Portland, Ore., a recent drive by the Sisters of the Road homeless advocacy group registered more than 400 homeless voters, twice as many as the agency registered in 2004.Patrick Nolen, who organized the effort, said repeated visits by presidential candidates to Oregon heightened interest in registration among the homeless. But many homeless voters were also concerned with local races.Portland's homeless pay especially close attention to laws prohibiting sitting or lying on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Anti-camping laws prevent them from storing bedding on public property."I heard many a discussion about which city councilor supported the sidewalk and anti-camping laws," Nolen said. "Those types of decisions affect them a lot more than other voters."In Washington state, some government agencies even accept mail for homeless voters during election season. In Seattle in 2004, officials allowed more than 500 people to receive ballots at the county administration building, which runs a free shelter on its loading dock during the winter.Some officials worry about potential election fraud involving homeless voters.After studying data from the 2004 election, Milwaukee police in March reported a heightened risk of voter fraud among the homeless, because many of them were registered in multiple locations.Efforts to register homeless voters will continue throughout the summer, culminating in a 50-state effort slated for late September."It's their right," Nolen said. "There are very few reasons why you can't vote. In most places, it's only if you're incarcerated or if you're dead."
  1. groups:
    News and Politics,   Politics,   Current News US
  2. tags:
    News and Politics,  Politics,  Obama,  Bush,  12 more
  3.     
    |

47 comments // More homeless people expected to vote this fall

  • junebaby
    • 0
      junebaby  

    • I know that not all homeless are drug addicts and alcoholics and that there are people who work full time jobs who can't afford a place to live because the cost of housing is so high. I was borderline homeless (I lived at a WYCA, in a tiny room with no kitchen or bathroom) a few years ago and would probably either still be living there, living in a different shelter, or with a family member if I didn't have the voucher that I have that helps me with housing. I work full time, but work a job that's slightly above minimum wage.... my brother works full time and had five roommates and he still has problems making rent and doesn't have health insurance...

      That's something else that our government doesn't look at: people who work and still can't afford to have a home to live in. We need to have a LIVING WAGE because not all of us are able to have our daddies pay for us to go to prep school and have them get us into an Ivy League University and give us a the literal silver spoon in our mouths so we would be sure to jeep up with the haves and the have mores. They get the biggest pieces of the pie and the rest of us get either a tiny sliver or crumbs as we watch the other eat that pie that we would love to maybe even have a little bit of a taste of that pie.

    • 3 years ago
  • aJohnDoeHomeless
    • 0
      aJohnDoeHomeless  

    • Hey Junebaby... (even if it is now Aug)...
      Thanx for the kudos, my response to this site is merely a repeat of every blog I've found all over the net since I've learned how to use this new toy (new for me about 2 years ago) and been gouing nuts with it. Folliow the link to my blogspot and the profile explains my motivation, where I've gotten my info, and a vivid description of the "sequence of events" that over 2 million U.S. citizens have experienced during the last 15 years that are surprised to find themselves. Also an expanation how falling into the rut "Perpetuates Itself" to prevent doing much about it. Your comments are right on target with what I've been trying to foretell to those who have no clue until it's their turn. It needs to be networked and I have little to do now but be a thorn in the political bears side and have been told I talk too much about it but I respond that if others would talk it up more I wouldn't have to say so much myself.
      My videos are currently being used in pieces on our local tv as PSAs which I'm in the process of vidfeo taping interviews to add to them. Will be posting them shortly.

      Thanx again 4 response and stay safe.
      Sorry for rushing this off but limited time - will be back at it tomorrow... library is only access to computer til school re-opens.

      http://IamJohnDoeHomelesswithViewpoints.blogspot.com/

    • 3 years ago
  • junebaby
    • 0
      junebaby  

    • How can the homeless really help themselves when they have so many strikes against them? They don't have an address, they don't have the proper clothes, they don't have a place to shower and shave, they don't have the up to date skills for the job market... many have untreated mental health issues... they need to have programs out there to help with education, job training, mental health issues, transition into the work world.... if they have the right support not just from therapists, and job coaches, but from the managers who are willing to take a chance to help these people.

      We have so much judgement on people who are homeless... jokes, name calling, horrible things done and said to them... I saw a former coworker of mine dangle a dollar in front of a homeless man's face and said very cruelly, "This is what you get when you have a job...GET ONE!" and laughed at him and the same one also made someone who was homeless preform for the dollar that he was going to give him. It's acceptable in our society to make fin and mock and judge people who don't have anywhere to go. They assume that they're all addicts of some kind and don't understand that one reason why many homeless use drugs and alcohol is for self medication for an untreated and undiagnosed mental illness and many are veterans from various wars... it's sad that this is how we treat them....

    • 3 years ago
  • aJohnDoeHomeless
    • 0
      aJohnDoeHomeless  
    • Image

    • You struggle to accumulate enough down payment to acquire affordable payments... and, if you are fortunate enough that job security, lack of wage increase, personal problems with family like medical or credit doesn't disrupt financial plans such as rent and other expense increases that keep you struggling, you try to down size. You start by moving (temporarily of course) to a smaller location, and maybe putting some "stuff" in a min-storage. It's a common method, which is the first step in losing your stuff... (of course the upside is - you have less stuff to worry about). Next, you cut back on other "unnecessary" expenses like recreational equipment, vacations, household appliances - either reduced or eliminated, and often when either getting a second job or putting in overtime for a few months, stress levels are enhanced (especially if everyone is pushing the envelope), which adds to frustration and all the other wholesome ingredients effecting the harmony in relationships - just to make it all worth while!(?) - The national figures show the record breaking results of those ingredients. Then you begin to realize that you are no longer trying to get ahead, but it's become necessary to do all this - just to stay afloat... and somehow it isn't quite enough. And if your job downsizes and/or there is a reduction of need for your field of expertise altogether- and just "any-kind-of-job" won't maintain rent payments, after which even those jobs aren't easily available when you don't live anywhere!! Sound familiar!?

      Of course, not everyone is that unfortunate - there are those who have it worse - some actually get into a place (finally)- fix up some customized preferences after which things happen like unexpected closing costs, repairs, balloon payments and/or rise in interest rates THEN if other surprise misfortunes like job down sizing, illness or babies, accidents, more unanticipated repairs on the house, vehicles etc., don't occur (hah!), the increasing costs of gas, food, clothing household items etc. (and recent years indicate what's coming) and just after spending more than expected to make improvements or rehabs... you may think of (or even remember) some others that have been what has caused the increases in the foreclosures that we are all aware of.
      After the next step (down) for many, (like the over 3 million in the last few years), resort to living in a vehicle (which doesn't do much for job appearance or performance), ends with a repo., if break-down, registration & insurance doesn't overwhelm the lack of budget first. After that, having the shopping cart being taken away is easier to accept.

      Oh yes! You can only keep stuff you can carry with you while looking for that "any-kind-of-job" (you resorted to) or you'll lose that when the cops raid your camp. Then the benefits of making it a crime for just being homeless show just how constructive it is!!?!..... and no one will listen to you because now you are one of them. Not all of us are alcoholic, drug addicts, or otherwise derelict (do I sound like?)... some of us are used to working for a living!!

      I am . . . A. John Doe Homeless

      and these are my Viewpoints
      of those "progressive" developments
      of the Growth that has been sooo-
      "Good for the Economy"!!?

      http://homelessreality.org/

    • 3 years ago
  • xim9
    • 0
      xim9  

    • It's unfortunate that many in our generation are naive to the de-institutionalization movement of the 1970's and its subsequent birth of the homelessness epidemic.

      The very notion of homelessness was, just a few short decades ago, something isolated to hobos in the Great Depression. That we don't realize such a cause and effect between ignoring the gross neglect of so many people's mental well-being and homelessness is pathetic. Those who think everyone's "one step away from homelessness" need a history lesson.

    • 3 years ago
  • damnneargenius
    • 0
      damnneargenius  

    • In our credit-based society there is a fine line between doing okay and totally screwed. With the margins between income the cost of living expanding I have a funny feeling the caliber of people considered "homeless" will be rising proportionally.

    • 3 years ago
  • Paratus
  • RoBot_rOcKer
    • 0
      RoBot_rOcKer  

    • it i may quote chris rock:

      if a homeless guy has a funny sign, chances are he's not homeless. REAL homeless people are too sad to be funny

    • 3 years ago
  • jeromecon
  • passjay
    • 0
      passjay  

    • PANICING LIKE CRAZY HERE, WITH MY BENEFACTOR NOW STRICKENED WITH A DISEASE....I FEAR THAT HOMELESS THING HAPPENING TO ME DOWN THE LINE. AND I UNDERSTAND NOBODY GIVES OUT CHARITY OR BROWNY POINTS FOR DOING GOOD THINIGS FOR PEOPLE IN THE PAST. BUT ESPECIALLY THOUGH, BEING THE ONE THEY'D LOVE TO HATE--NOT BY MY WANTING IT SO. I VOTE ALMOST REGULARLY, AND CAN'T SEE MYSELF WITHIN A POSITIVE LIGHT TO SAVE MY REAR END. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ME. ANYWAYS, HOPEFULLY MY LIFE CAN COME INTO A START OF SOMETHING GOOD FOR ME ATLEAST.

    • 3 years ago
  • chickayeahfakeidoxx
  • jahbini
    • 0
      jahbini  

    • Is the number really 3.5 million? That works out to be 1 in 100 people (or something like that). It's just too much. We are leaving too many of our neighbors, brothers, friends, parents and children in the dust. It's shameful.

      On the lighter side: The neocons should be really up-in-arms about a figure that high! Pretty soon they will be talking about the "homeless lifestyle" being against the Bible, and how the "homeless agenda" is creating moral decay in our public school system.

    • 3 years ago
  • saved62108
  • FallenMorgan
    • 0
      FallenMorgan  

    • Hey, maybe the percentage of Americans who vote will be more than 50%. This really is nice, homeless people voting. That'd make a nice movie or something. I wonder if we'd see signs that say "Need money to register to vote."

    • 3 years ago
  • aJohnDoeHomeless
  • larock
  • allIknowis
  • bekah_1984
    • 0
      bekah_1984  

    • These are the very people who need the most representation. It's good to see that they are beginning to gain more of a voice. 3.5 million people could certainly sway a voting outcome.

    • 3 years ago
  • cali_is_gorgeous
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  

    • To Pattyhax, there has been an increase in homeless due to the economy going down the tank. I'm sure many people are being homeless now due to foreclosure, bankruptcy, and debt. People whom are homeless didn't just pop out of no where and decide to roam the streets because they feel like it. Sorry, the rich doesn't always have the say in everything.

      To alllknowis, read the damn article.

    • 3 years ago
  • allIknowis
    • 0
      allIknowis  
    • anglcazn:

      I did read the damn article. Did you see the part about fraud. I think they should be prosecuted for voter fraud along with the volunteers who encouraged them. and shut down or fine the soup kitchens that allow them to use their address. Someone should pose as homeless, and see how many voter registration cards they can get. This is serious law breaking.

    • 3 years ago
  • allIknowis
    • 0
      allIknowis  

    • wow if it's homeless wanting to vote with a huge potential for fraud, it's ok. If it's people not smart enough in Fl to figure out a ballot it's a crime? How can a homeless even designate a home district?
      What do they list for an address? "I live under the 3rd dumpster on the left behind Starbucks."

    • 3 years ago
  • HighT3chR3dn3ck
    • 0
      HighT3chR3dn3ck  

    • Ugh... I can't stand when people don't use grammar. It's called a paragraph, use it once in a while.

      While I suppose it is good to make sure that even homeless people are registering and voting. There really should be an investigation into whether or not these homeless people are receiving any incentives for doing so, such as food, money, or something else b/c that is illegal.

    • 3 years ago
  • AceHardchester
    • 0
      AceHardchester  
    • HighT3chR3dn3ck:

      I really don't like it when people say "don't use grammar" when grammar was used--just not enough of it.

      The sentences are in the right order, the verbs match the nouns, and you can even see some punctuation marks. Granted, it's a big wall of text that could use more grammar (grammarier?), but it does have some.

    • 3 years ago
  • singrrr
    • 0
      singrrr  

    • It is nice to see everyone counting! If you are an American citizen it is your right to vote! For too long have the voices that need to be heard the loudest have been silenced by lack of a better option!

    • 3 years ago
  • orangeseverywhere
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  

    • Currently I have been at an odd time in my life. I have been nearly homeless several times in the last 6 months.
      I have lost everything that I ever cared about, my family, all my material and sentimental possessions... and the good health I enjoyed until I was 20 years old. I am completely disabled.

      Good news... I do still have my very ancient computer and by God's grace it still is working. Yay!!

      Anyway, I have eaten dinner at the rescue shelter every day the last few months. I feel so blessed to be able to go there, you have no idea.

      Many of the people there are veterans (I am also), the product of a divorce gone wrong, lost jobs, physical or mental disabilities, and some have drug or alcohol problems they are trying to shake.

      Every person has a different story. It's amazing when you meet people who have lost everything yet have joy in their soul. Those people are not common. But they sure are an inspiration to me. I strive to be right there with them, and you better believe we are all voting!

    • 3 years ago
  • singrrr
  • Chique
    • 0
      Chique  
    • arcticspirit:

      Agreed! Remember that old saying "There but for the grace of God go I." When I lived in another city I sometimes helped a friend at work to cook for and feed the homeless. One man stood out in particular - educated with much the same story. It could happen to any of us at any time. With your outlook on life, artic, you're already successful. Hopefully things will change for you soon.

    • 3 years ago
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  
    • arcticspirit:

      Wow, this made me cry. In a good way. Thanks for the comments. Made today even better.

      I wish I had a video camera, there are so many who have stories that would blow you away... I would love to do an actual pod about this. It's so complex, and poverty in America is largely thought that these people didn't work hard and they "deserve" it, or that people are homeless by choice. Most didn't choose, and many have too much pride to admit how heartbroken they are.

    • 3 years ago
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  
    • arcticspirit:

      Wow, this made me cry. In a good way. Thanks for the comments. Made today even better.

      I wish I had a video camera, there are so many who have stories that would blow you away... I would love to do an actual pod about this. It's so complex, and poverty in America is largely thought that these people didn't work hard and they "deserve" it, or that people are homeless by choice. Most didn't choose, and many have too much pride to admit how heartbroken they are.

    • 3 years ago
  • Ayahuasca2012
  • aJohnDoeHomeless
  • anglcazn
  • flipriza
    • 0
      flipriza  

    • i wonder how many of these so-called "homeless" were actually real workers who lost jobs during this decade...i think they are more informed than anybody...

    • 3 years ago
  • Saladin
  • funksoulgurlll
  • furryjenn
  • cleansouth
  • goldenways
  • bansheewail
more from News and Politics:
from the community

top videos