Latinos, women, and independents frequently emerge as key voting demographics during election seasons.
An individual shared with the NBC4 I-Team that it’s crucial to acknowledge the homeless community, a group she once belonged to.
The most recent data indicates that over 75,000 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, many of whom might not realize they can register to vote, whether at county shelters or online.
“What I feel is important for any homeless person is to learn to speak up, you know? That’s why we often seem invisible, because many of us are embarrassed and hesitant to ask for help,” said Justice Butler.
The 65-year-old former radio DJ reflects on her experiences of homelessness at different points in her life, from her hometown of Houston to her current residence in a studio apartment near McArthur Park.
Regardless of her struggles, her aspiration to participate in the voting process has always remained strong.
“It means so much to me each year. The first time I voted, I was emotional, reflecting on the ancestors who paved the way for this right. I’ve grown to understand my history,” Butler expressed. “They sacrificed their lives for our right to vote.”
Butler registered to vote while staying at a shelter in Los Angeles.
Her experience is not an isolated case.
According to Dean Logan, who manages the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, California law permits unhoused voters to engage in elections.
“They can identify the shelter where they reside to ensure they receive the most relevant ballot,” he continued.
Logan informed the NBC4 I-Team that there are currently around 800 voters registered using an intersection address, alongside approximately 5,500 voters who are registered with a shelter, church, or similar service facility.
Moreover, all active registered voters in California are sent mail-in ballots.
He emphasized that in-person voting centers, including mobile ones dispatched to various neighborhoods, serve as a reliable method of voting.
The need for accessibility extends beyond the homeless population.
Butler, currently fighting a severe lung disease, is concentrating on issues significant to her this election cycle.
Her message to everyone, regardless of their living situation, is to make their voices heard through voting.
Vote-by-mail ballots have already been sent out. Several of the many in-person vote centers in Los Angeles County will open as early as 11 days before the election, and individuals can vote at any location, with the option to register on-site.
