On Election Day, the voices of our unsheltered neighbors are as powerful as any individual in this nation. But you might wonder, why would someone who faces rejection by virtually every aspect of modern society continue to believe in the great promise of democracy?
This election season, our unsheltered friends have been answering that question by telling us why they are interested in voting. These voters are young and old, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Just like voters with permanent addresses, they don’t think alike, and they didn’t vote alike. Their stories are inspiring reminders that our elected officials are accountable to all of us.
Akeem lost his housing in February of last year after parting ways with his girlfriend and has been unable to find a new apartment that he can afford. He said, “Being homeless, [voting] means a lot because a person of my stature, some people might think that we're not qualified,” He told me that he inherited a strong appreciation for voting rights from his grandmother, who reminded him every election cycle that there were times in American history where someone like her — a woman and a person of color — had no say in choosing our leaders. “Hopefully [other people in my situation] will exercise their rights and feel good about voting. I would hope we'll help change our futures, change the circumstances that we are in.”
Amy, a young woman who lost her housing when her parents passed away, and who will be voting for the first time in the upcoming election, saw voting as a way to assert her rights and increase respect for anyone who might be judged unfairly. “Something's gotta be done about that whole discrimination thing, against anybody in a house or on the street or whatever, you know? It's just frustrating to constantly get looked at sideways. If I carry too much stuff into a place, they automatically peg me for someone, you know, like I'm going to steal something.”
Donald, a registered Independent and a retiree from the manufacturing industry, said, “Many U.S. Presidential elections are extremely important and consequential. This year is very polarizing considering all the many issues that have defined 2020 - Coronavirus pandemic, social unrest, racial injustice, protests, unemployment, the economy. Everyone’s voice needs to be heard at the ballot box… I have a right to vote as much as any U.S. citizen, no matter my social status, economic status, etc. Everyone’s vote counts the same in the election.”
Homelessness didn’t get much attention on the campaign trail, but, sadly, people experiencing it are no small constituency. Government figures put the number of unsheltered Americans at more than half a million, but the actual count is undoubtedly higher. We have all been reminded in recent weeks that no vote can be taken for granted. As our community member, Donald, reminded us, “I want to vote to help choose our leaders. It is my right and duty as an American citizen.”
