Local News
With the presidential election just weeks away, Pine Street Inn has a message for people experiencing homelessness: your vote counts.
The nonprofit animal shelter in Boston has informed guests and tenants about their right to vote. For many individuals with no everlasting address, it’s unclear whether the law allows them to register as voters. As a result, significantly fewer people with no everlasting address voted in local and parliamentary elections.
After According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, about 10 percent of the homeless population votes in presidential elections, in comparison with about 60 percent of the overall population. But advocates for the homeless community want to alter that.
“If you are 18 or older and an American citizen, you have the right to vote. Pine Street Inn guests can provide their shelter address when registering. Make your voice heard,” the shelter wrote in a single Social media post on National Voter Registration Day.
Approximately 19,000 individuals are currently homeless in Massachusetts. after based on data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. About 5,700 individuals are currently homeless in Boston – a number that has increased by about 10 percent since last 12 months.
Massachusetts state law states that U.S. residents over the age of 18 can list an accommodation address as their primary residence when registering to vote. Anyone who has served a sentence for against the law can vote after being released from prison.
On September thirtieth, Pine Street Inn hosted one Voter Registration Campaign which provided attendees with lunch and shared resources on voter rights. Around 50 people took part within the event.
“We want all of these voices to be heard at the polls every election cycle,” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said on the event.
Lyndia Downie, president and CEO of Pine Street Inn, said that their goal shouldn’t be only to assist with voter registration, but in addition to teach them about candidates and voting issues. However, she told the outlet that the ladies's shelter doesn't give them advice on who to vote for.
“They often feel forgotten, but this is an opportunity for them to think about how they can make a difference. It’s a way to make their voices heard,” Downie said.
The deadline to register to vote is October twenty sixth.
image credit : www.boston.com