The number of homeless people in U.S., age 18 and above, is around half a million (541,484) at any given point in 2023 according to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR). 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 purposes, homeless people can use the mailing address of shelters or religious institutions or post offices. Each state has its own voter registration requirements.
+ Point-In-Time Estimates of Homelessness in U.S. Year Elections Est. number of homeless Est. age 18 and above 2012 Presidential 633,782 N/a 2014 Midterm 578,424 439,602 2016 Presidential 549,928 429,109 2018 Midterm 552,830 441,238 2020 Presidential 580,466 474,102 2022 Midterm 582,462 484,218
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