Homeless Voting Rights Highlighted in Polk County Ahead of Elections
POLK COUNTY, Iowa — As the upcoming elections approach, questions have arisen regarding the voting rights of the homeless community. Local 5 has confirmed that individuals without stable housing are eligible to vote in Iowa, but they must register first. The state allows homeless residents to list the location where they usually sleep as their address, whether it’s a shelter, park, or a family member’s home.
Nonprofit organization Vision Leads is actively working to register Polk County’s homeless population. According to Shannon Brisbois, the director of strategic community partnerships at Vision Leads, many individuals are unaware of their right to vote. “A lot of people don’t know that they can vote if they’re unhoused,” Brisbois stated, emphasizing the initiative to inform and facilitate registration.
Although the general deadline for registration has passed, voters can still register at early voting locations and on election day by providing an ID, such as an Iowa driver’s license or passport, along with proof of residence like a utility bill or bank statement. For those who lack these documents, an attester— a registered voter from the same precinct— can verify their identity.
Vision Leads has successfully registered approximately a dozen homeless individuals in preparation for the elections and is offering transportation to voting sites. They believe that greater electoral participation can lead to significant change. To further support this initiative, Vision Leads will host a "Souls to the Polls" event on Saturday, meeting at Chelsie’s Courtyard Diner before marching to the Polk County Auditor’s Office to cast their votes.
“Every person matters, no matter if they have a roof over their head,” said Brisbois. “Every vote matters in every election, and every election is going to determine our future.”
Source
Photo credit www.weareiowa.com