SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — As Election Day approaches, a reminder that every eligible voter has the right to cast a ballot, including those experiencing homelessness.
For many people, having a home address is something they don't think twice about but for those experiencing homelessness, voting can seem out of reach.
This is why there's a law in place in the state of Pennsylvania to help those without a permit address.
"There's a law and the law states that they have to be a part of the county that they are going to be voting in for at least 30 days, and if they are homeless, they can utilize the address of the shelter they are staying in," said Danielle Keither Alexandre the CEO of Keystone Misson.
Homeless shelters like the Keystone Mission are one of the addresses used for voter registration.
Several PA counties set to review voter registration forms
"There were canvases that came by and we expressed to them that some of our guests are interested in voting and you know they made sure that they helped them complete the necessary application, made sure they had their ID and whatever else was needed for them to properly register to vote," explained Alexandre.
So if you see a location that has multiple people registered under the same address, before you call it fraud, it could be a shelter making sure their guests can have their voices heard in the 2024 election.
"I think sometimes we are of the perception, the community, that because someone is homeless, that means that their rights are taken away automatically, once they are United States citizens and with all the other things that come along with that, they still do have a right to vote," continued Alexandre.
Remember, your housing status doesn't diminish your right to vote.
The Keystone Mission says they know exactly who's been in the shelter for the past thirty days and used their address.
