November 20,2014 (by Arielle Spanvill)

We have all be actively working on different areas of our project. Here are our latest updates:
Ø  We have continually been looking at articles and other media sources for information that may help and enrich our project. We have included one of the more recent articles that we thought was interesting.

Ø  We have a meeting scheduled with the Consumer Advisory Board at 4th Street Clinic on December 17th @ 6 pm. And are hoping to meet individually with a member of the board who seems excited about our project.

Ø  We have also completed a rough draft of our needs assessment survey: 

RECENT ARTICLE:
Enfranchising Homeless Clients: A Resource Guide to Voter Registration for Health Care for the Homeless Projects by Lynn A Martin. This article is about empowering homeless people by helping them register to vote and understanding how to use a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to organize voter registration drives.

Bill Would Expand Voting Rights for the Homeless by Jen Rini. This article talks about a Delaware Bill 378 that states that an individual has the right to receive necessary identity documentation for registering and voting. Representative Bolden identified three categories for the homeless population as: The Working Poor, Individuals on Disabilities, and Those who have drug and alcohol abuse problems.

After organizing registration assistance and transportation to polling location for the transitional and chronically homeless veterans at Freedom Landing, I discussed with my supervisor or conducting a survey for the residents to gain perspective on ideas surrounding voting for this population. I will create a survey and present it to my supervisor and to our macro group for comments and ideas.

ENFRANCHISING HOMELESS CLIENTS

A Resource Guide to Voter Registration for Health Care for the Homeless Projects

By Lynn A. Martin

FINDINGS

·         This guide is about empowering homeless people by helping them to register to vote.

·         Become familiar with your states’ policies regarding voter registration

·         Ex-felons right to vote vary by state

·         All non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations are permitted by law to organize voter registration drives

·         Organize a FAQ sheet for homeless persons who have questions about registration such as eligibility:

o   A citizen of United States

o   A legal resident of your state

o   At least 18 years old by election day

o   Not declared mentally incompetent by a court (check state policy)

o   Not felon/ex-felon (check state policy)

·         In most states your home address can be a geographical description of where you live or spend most of your time. You may be able to use the address of a friend, family member, or shelter.

·         Voter ID requirements (see attached)

·         Voter Registration Form

·         Sample Cover Letter to Candidate

·         Sample questionnaire for candidates for federal office

 BILL WOULD EXPAND VOTING RIGHTS FOR THE HOMELESS

By Jen Rini (6/13/14)

1.         FINDINGS

·         House Bill 378 (Delaware) states an individual has the right to vote, register to vote, and receive documentation necessary to prove identity for voting without discrimination due to his or her housing status.

·         This bill offers protection from discrimination while individuals are on the streets and when seeking access to housing, employment, and temporary shelter

·         Rep Bolden said she sees three categories of homeless:

o   The working poor

o   Individuals on disabilities

o   Those who have drug and alcohol abuse problems

ROUGH DRAFT OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT:

The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of citizen concerns about voting and our community. We appreciate your help.

To preserve your confidentiality please do not put your name on the survey.

Gender: ____ female ____ male

Age Group: ___ under 18 ___ 18-25 ___ 26-35 ___ 36-55 ___56-65 ___ over 65

Education: ___ high school ___ college ___ graduate school

How long have you lived in the Salt Lake area? _________________

1. What barriers do you face that prevent you from voting?

2. Do you want to vote? If so why or why not?

3. Have you voted in the past? If so what motivated you to vote?

4. As a person who lives in Salt Lake City, please list 3 things that you feel are the biggest issues or concerns facing this community?

            1.

            2.

            3.

5. What do you think could be done to address these issues?