Secretary to speak at "Homeless, Not Voiceless" event

DENVER, August 22, 2016 -- Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams on Tuesday will participate in an event designed to encourage eligible homeless residents to register to vote.

Intensive outreach to homeless residents has been conducted along the Colfax Avenue corridor to let them know about the event. Staffers who are certified to run voter registration will manage the event, accompanied by interpreters fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese and Cambodian.

"Every eligible elector has the right to vote in Colorado," Secretary Williams said. "The fact that you have no fixed permanent home has no bearing on your right to vote."

When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23
Where: MLK Aurora Public Library (outdoors), 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Speaker: Secretary Williams will talk at 10 a.m.

"Homeless, Not Voiceless" is the work of multiple organizations, including the Secretary of State's Office. The effort encourages people across the state without a permanent address but who are eligible to vote under Colorado law to register and participate in elections.

"Losing a home can happen to anyone. Job loss, high housing costs, family break-ups, and illnesses are among the most common causes of homelessness," said James Gillespie, who oversees community impact and government relations for Mile High Behavioral Healthcare. "When these circumstances occur it’s more important than ever to give people a way to speak up and be heard. The freedom to exercise their right to vote is a tangible way to have a voice."

Because the homeless often don't have a permanent address where county clerks can send them election information and a ballot, they are allowed to the use the addresses of homeless shelters and other public locations they consider a "home base." For example, Secretary of State voting records show that 1,499 active voters are registered at the St. Francis Center on Curtis Street, 72 at the Denver Rescue Mission on Park Avenue West and 71 at the Samaritan House on Lawrence Street. In Aurora, there are seven active voters each registered at Aurora Warms the Night and the Comitis Crisis Center.

Tuesday's event is co-hosted by Mile High Behavioral Health Center and the Comitis Crisis Center, Colorado Secretary of State, Metro Community Provider Network, Close to Home, Colfax Community Network and the Aurora Mental Health Center, PATH Program.