Homeless Voter FAQs
Q: Who is considered ?homeless? for the purposes of voter registration? A: In addition to those individuals that typically fall under the definition of homeless, individuals that permanently reside in recreational vehicles (RVs) or persons that, for some reason or another (such as truck drivers), have no fixed permanent residence may also be considered ?homeless? for voter registration purposes. Thus, Election Rule 2.9 applies to each of these situations.
Q: What address may a ?homeless? voter use to register to vote? A: As Election Rule 2.9 indicates, a homeless voter may use any address within a specific precinct that the voter regularly returns to and has the intent to remain. As long as the voter can receive messages and be contacted at the given location, that location may be used as the voter?s ?home base? (residential address) for voter registration purposes.
Q: What are some examples of acceptable residence locations? A: For voter registration purposes, the location given need not be an actual residential address. For instance, a voter who permanently resides in an RV may use a campground as ?home base? for voter registration purposes. Likewise, those that cannot afford regular or adequate shelter may use a park, vacant lot, or homeless shelter as ?home base? for registration purposes. Basically, if the voter intends the given location to be their home base and as long as they can be contacted at the given location, they may give any physical location as an address.
Q: What if a homeless person gives a location that does not have a mailing address? A: If a homeless person indicates that their residence is a physical location that lacks a mailing address, such as a park, then the homeless voter must also give a valid mailing address where they can receive correspondence (such as a mail ballot or TABOR notice). Although a homeless person may use any physical location as a residence, a homeless person cannot be registered without providing a valid mailing address.
Q: Can a post office box ever be used as a ?home base? for voter registration purposes? A: No. Post office boxes are never acceptable as a residence address; a voter must provide a physical location so that the designated election official can determine the appropriate ballot style for the voter.
Q: Can a post office box ever be used as a mailing address for voter registration purposes? A: Yes. If a homeless voter provides a physical location that does not have a mailing address (such as a park), the homeless voter may provide a post office box as a mailing address only. Post office boxes are acceptable as mailing addresses only; they are never acceptable for residence purposes.
