As the midterm election draws near, Twin Cities shelters are working to increase voting access for unhoused residents.
Housing providers say that people experiencing homelessness face increased barriers when it comes to exercising their right to vote. Unhoused residents often think that they are ineligible to vote because they don’t have a government ID and a permanent address, or because they have a criminal record. Some residents have also lost faith in the government systems that have failed them and feel like their vote doesn’t matter.
“A lot of our people going through homelessness believe that the systems are against them. They truly believe that,” said Kourtney Thomas, who has previously experienced homelessness and now serves as a volunteer member of the Catholic Charities Twin Cities Lived Experience Advisory Board and has been helping with voter outreach. “A lot of stuff is going on in America and it’s important that we get people in our shelters to vote,” she said.
Ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election, shelters like Catholic Charities Twin Cities are hosting events to educate residents about their rights as voters and early voting opportunities. Shelter staff will also vouch for residents on Election Day at their polling places so they can vote.
Thomas said her experience in navigating homelessness and housing instability helps build trust with residents as she educates them about opportunities to vote.
“I have been through what you’ve been through. I can understand. Let me help you. Let’s try it this way,” she said.
On a mid-October morning at Catholic Charities’ Endeavors Residence, staff handed out nonpartisan voting information and sample ballots. A steady trickle of residents approached, asking questions about how to vote, what offices are up for election this year and where their polling place is.
“The most important thing that we bring, aside from the information, is really letting people know that they matter, that their vote matters, and that their vote is their voice,” said Carole Specktor, community advocacy director with Catholic Charities Twin Cities.
Specktor said the top questions she hears from residents are whether they can vote if they don’t have a permanent address or if they have a criminal record. Residents can use the address where they sleep to vote, such as a shelter or a street corner outside. The Minnesota Legislature also passed a law in 2023 which allows residents with a criminal record to vote as long as they are not currently serving a felony sentence.
Lonnie Lyte, who has lived at the Endeavors Residence for four years, grabbed voting information from a table and said he intends to vote this year.
“It’s important for people to know their rights,” he said.
People Serving People, whose shelters serve homeless Minneapolis families, has also been doing voter outreach such as helping residents register to vote and distributing information. Like Catholic Charities Twin Cities, the shelter will be hosting an early voting event on-site.
“Folks don’t even have to leave the building, which I think is going to be really, really fantastic because it takes away the barrier of walking to the polling place,” said Linda Barrera, community organizing manager at People Serving People. “Even if it’s only four blocks, walking with your kids can be kind of a lot too.”
Barrera said political candidates often don’t do voter outreach to those experiencing homelessness. She hopes as more residents vote, that will change politicians’ strategies.
How to vote in Minnesota if you are experiencing homelessness
Residents without a permanent address can vote using the location of where they sleep, such as a shelter, a friend’s home or outside. If sleeping outside, describe the location of where you are staying, such as the street intersection.
If registering prior to Election Day with an outdoor location as your address, your voter record will be marked “challenged.” You can still vote, but at your polling location on Election Day, you will need to swear under oath that you live at that location.
You can also register to vote on Election Day. If you live outside or at a friend’s house, a registered voter from your precinct can accompany you to the polling palace and sign an oath confirming your residence. If you live in a shelter, staff can come with you to your polling place and confirm you live there.
Shelters including Catholic Charities Twin Cities and People Serving People have staff ready on Election Day to accompany residents to the polls and vouch for them.
More information can be found on the Secretary of State website.
Upcoming early voting events at shelters
The City of Minneapolis is hosting the following early voting events:
Catholic Charities Twin Cities
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Location: Higher Ground Evergreen Residence, 177 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis
Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
People Serving People
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Location: Possibility Place, 614 S 3rd St., Minneapolis
Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
