Any one know of how to register the homeless to vote? any tips?

[expatriot]

I am going to be tabling outside the public library tomorrow and want to be able to register the transients that frequent the library lawn but I do not know how to go about doing this. Can anyone help me on this or have any tips in approaching this?

Thanks

[Don_G]

1. Check Around First

Quite a few decided to opt out of the system and have no interest in voting. That said, you might want to check for a local organization that helps (Catholic Charities, Coalition For The Homeless or a day center that they can use as a mailing address in my area.)

You will probably have bettter luck at the shelters going after long-term residents trying to get on their feet and into society again. Some can't vote, but there are a surprising number of Vietnam Vets undergoing treatment for substance abuse or depression and will want to vote.

Good luck!

[expatriot]

2. Yes, I will do that.. thanks...

I am not going down there just for the homeless people but I don't want to disenfranchise them if they come up to me. I know Arizona has a law that you can't vote if you have been ruled 'incompetent' whatever that means. I just want to know what to tell them if they are interested.

We have a large, nicely run shelter in town, I'll stop by and ask the management what they know about registering transients in AZ.

Thanks again.

[CoffeePlease1947]

3. Here is what you do

They need to have an address. So if you can get them legal status at a shelter for thirty days, sixty days, or ninety days,(depending on state) or something with their name and address that is that long ago, they can register to vote.

Only felons and the legally insane cannot vote. I would not worry about the legally insane. Most insane people are still legal :).

Felons usually know they cannot vote. So don't worry about that either.

Good luck and thank you for not ignoring the homeless.

Mike

[Don_G]

4. They Don't Need To Be In A Shelter

Some of the homeless Vets I know come in only when the temperature drops to 20 degrees or less. They just need to have a valid address and at least two Day Centers in my area offer that service.

The shelters are the best place to go although it certainly dosen't hurt to talk with the people around the library. The overnighters and the program people tend to run in the same as the shelters generally run the different programs out of the same facility.