Voting While Unhoused
Have you made a plan to vote? Not sure how to register or what you’ll need? Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. If you don't have a permanent address, you still have a right to vote. In this blog, we are going to talk about what you need to register to vote, dispel some common myths about voting, and discuss what resources are available to help you vote.
Who Can Register?
To qualify to register to vote, you must be:
A U.S. citizen,
An Iowa Resident, and
At least 17 years old
You cannot:
Be a convicted felon (unless your voting rights have been restored)
Be judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or
Claim the right to vote in any other place
What Will I Need?
A form of ID
Bring your Iowa Driver's License, Iowa Non-operator ID, U.S. Passport, U.S. Military or Veterans ID, Iowa Voter Identification Card, or Tribal ID Card/Document. IDs must not be expired.
A mailing address and an address where you live
You need to provide a mailing address for the state to send you voting information by mail. This does not have to be a fixed home address. If you do not have a fixed address to get mail, you can use a different address as your mailing address:
Examples of a mailing address you may be able to use:
A nearby shelter, even if you do not currently live there
A nearby religious center
General Delivery, if your local post office offers it
A P.O. box at a local post office near where you live
The home address of a friend or family member who lives nearby
You will also need to provide an "address where you live." Use your current address as both your home and mailing address if you live at:
A shelter
A religious center
Any other community place
If you do not have an address to use, Iowa registration forms have a line that says, "If homeless or you do not have an established residence, describe where you reside." You can then describe the approximate area where you sleep at night. If you are unable to provide an address where you live and will need to provide a description, it is best to contact your county auditor's office. Your county auditor will help determine your voting precinct/polling place.
If you are working with a case manager, they may be able to help you contact your county auditor or figure out what address(es) to provide.
What if I registered in the past?
If you have moved since you last registered to vote, you need to update your registration. You will also need to update your registration if you changed your name or party affiliation.
What if I don’t have an ID?
You will receive a Voter ID card for free, automatically, in the mail. If you're able to, it's important to register in advance to have your Voter ID card in time. Make sure to sign your Voter ID card as soon as you get it. If you do not have an ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot and will have until the Monday after Election Day to provide ID.
Another registered voter in your precinct can verify your identity if you do not have an accepted form of ID. The person attesting to your identity will be asked to sign a written oath.
What if I need to keep my address confidential?
Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program that provides participants with a substitute address, mail forwarding, and confidential voter registration. It is for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and assault. You will need to mail in an application. You can learn more about Safe at Home and access the application here: Iowa Safe At Home.
Getting to the Polls
If you are working with a case manager, they may be able to provide information about transportation options. Many communities offer free bus rides or have organizations that help with transportation on Election Day.
Elections Accessibility
To learn about accessible voting machines, voting with assistance, and curbside voting, visit: Elections Accessibility
Questions?
If you have questions, there are resources available to help. If you are working with a case manager, they may be able to help with registering and/or finding transportation to the polls. Your county auditor's office can help you register and provide election information.You can also contact the Office of the Iowa Secretary of State by calling (515) 281-0145 or 1-888-SOS-VOTE (toll-free), or by emailing elections@sos.iowa.gov.
Resources:
Voting while unhoused | Vote.gov
Elections & Voting | Iowa Secretary of State - Paul D. Pate
Written by: Sydney Bankes, CoC Engagement Specialist
