Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by Jocelyn Figueroa from Invisible People on May 20, 2026.
New voting restrictions could further limit access to the ballot for low-income and homeless individuals, deepening existing barriers and reducing representation for those most impacted by policy decisions.
New Restrictions Could Deepen Barriers for Homeless and Low-Income Communities Already Underrepresented at the Ballot Box
Recent efforts to restrict mail-in voting could significantly limit access to the ballot, especially for low-income, homeless, and other marginalized communities. Proposals to create federal lists of approved absentee voters and restrict ballot delivery would introduce new barriers for people already facing housing instability, limited transportation, and demanding work or caregiving schedules.
On March 31, President Trump signed an executive order restricting mail-in voting. Under the order, the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration are tasked with developing a federal list of approved absentee voters, and the USPS would only be permitted to deliver ballots to those included on that list.
For individuals already underrepresented in the democratic process, these changes could further limit participation. And they are not happening in isolation. Alongside the executive order, the proposed SAVE Actwould introduce additional barriers through stricter voter ID and documentation requirements. Although the bill was defeated after debate in the Senate, it can be reintroduced later this year, making ongoing vigilance essential.
Research from VoteRiders, Public Wise, and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland highlights the scale of the issue:
- 20 million Americans do not have a driver’s license
- 34.5 million voting-age Americans lack a current government-issued ID
- 13% of U.S. citizens do not have ready access to a birth certificate
- 150 million U.S. citizens do not have a passport
Many Americans are also unclear about voting requirements. In states that require a photo ID, more than half of voters do not know it is needed. These gaps create significant barriers to participation, especially for those already facing instability.
Low-Income, Unhoused, and Other Marginalized Groups Face the Most Barriers to Voting
Taking this data into account, it becomes clear how deeply housing instability and voter access are connected. Low-income and homeless people face the most barriers to voting and civic participation. These are the same individuals most impacted by policy decisions, yet they are often the least represented at the polls.
Experts say homeless individuals face unique barriers to voting. Many lack identification or essential documents such as birth certificates or Social Security cards, items that can be lost during encampment sweeps and are often costly to replace. Limited access to information, misinformation, and transportation challenges further complicate the process.
As a result, although an estimated 60% of unhoused Americans are eligible to vote, only about 10% do.
Even for those who are able to navigate these barriers, the process is rarely straightforward. Without a permanent address, something as simple as registering to vote or receiving election materials can become complicated. Some states allow voters to use shelters, cross streets, or designated locations as an address, but awareness of these options is limited, and the process varies widely depending on location.
For people living in vehicles or moving between temporary spaces, maintaining consistent registration can be difficult. Missed mail, changing polling locations, and a lack of access to reliable information can all prevent someone from successfully casting a ballot. What may appear to be a simple administrative requirement often becomes a series of obstacles that compound over time.
These challenges are not always visible, but they have a measurable impact on participation. When systems are not designed with instability in mind, they tend to exclude those experiencing it.
Voting restrictions would also disproportionately impact Tribal citizens, people born in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam, individuals who have changed their names, rural residents, and young voters between the ages of 18 and 29.
Strategies for Increasing Civic Engagement Among Communities Most Impacted by Policy Outcomes
In the video Protecting Voting Rights: Strengthening Democracy Through Local Housing Advocacy, Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, President and CEO of Georgia Advancing Communities Together, said engaging tenants as community leaders, not just as participants, creates stronger and much more resilient communities.
Organizing at the community level is essential to increasing civic engagement, especially among those most impacted by housing instability and policy decisions. One of the most important things we can do is meet voters where they are.
For unhoused voters, we can reach them through homeless outreach providers, nonprofit groups, soup kitchens, food pantries, community and senior centers, and shelters. Public locations could include transit stations, public libraries, and banks.
Collaboration with local organizations can also help expand access. Hosting voter registration events in familiar community spaces can provide practical support, including registration forms, sample ballots, devices for online access, and basic resources like seating, food, and phone charging.
Building trust within communities and forming meaningful relationships is essential. When we are culturally literate and have a clear understanding of a community’s needs, we can become better advocates.
The impact of these barriers extends beyond individual participation. Voting is one of the primary ways communities influence decisions about housing, transportation, healthcare, and public services. When people experiencing homelessness or housing instability are unable to participate, policies are shaped without the input of those most affected.
This creates a feedback loop. Limited access to the ballot leads to limited representation, which can result in policies that fail to address—or in some cases worsen—the conditions contributing to housing instability. Over time, this disconnect reinforces the very inequities that make civic participation difficult in the first place.
At a time when voting access is being debated nationwide, the stakes are especially high for those already facing instability. When barriers to voting increase, the voices of the most impacted communities are often the first to be excluded. Expanding access is not just about participation—it is about ensuring that the people most affected by housing policy have a voice in shaping the decisions that impact their lives.
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