PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The city is working with Philadelphia’s shelters to ensure that homelessness is not a barrier to the ballot this election.
“...Even if you are homeless, you still have the opportunity to vote,” said Omar Sabir, chairman of the city commissioners.
Sabir addressed residents — particularly homeless residents and those in transitional housing — during a press conference at the Station House Shelter in North Philadelphia run by Strengthening and Empowering Lives and Futures (SELF Inc.).
Sabir says those experiencing homelessness can use Broad Street Ministries located at 315 South Broad Street as a secure address to get registered to vote.
“Once you are registered, you can feel free to go to any of our 11 satellite locations, including City Hall, for you to cast your ballot, because we need to hear from every eligible Philadelphian. We don’t want any barriers,” Sabir said.
Sharyn Flanagan, director of communications at SELF, says it’s important vulnerable communities know they still have the right and ability to vote.
“We are working every day to try to get people to the polls, and we will be looking for volunteers to take people to the polls,” Flanagan said.
Sabir also corrected misinformation being spread, noting that the only time a person convicted of a felony cannot vote is while they are incarcerated.
“Once you receive your freedom, you can vote. Once your feet hit the streets, you can compete,” he said.
Sabir says people awaiting trial or held for misdemeanors can also vote by mail.
So far, more than 200,000 mail-in ballots have been issued in Philadelphia, and 180,000 have been cast. City commissioners are trying to track down people who made errors on their ballot so they can correct them.
Anyone with voter questions can call 215-686-VOTE, or visit vote.phila.gov.