To cast a vote: homelessness and disenfranchisement
Violet Kolar
Hanover Welfare Services
Contact Email:   ahollowshanover.org.au

This paper presents findings from a brief study of the voting behaviour among clients of Hanover Welfare Services. A Melbourne-based agency, Hanover provides crisis accommodation and support to people experiencing homelessness or housing crisis.

Following the November 2006 Victorian State Election, Hanover contacted clients to determine: how many were eligible to vote at the election; what proportion of eligible clients actually did vote; and what were the obstacles to voting. Of the 230 clients who took part in the study, 90% were eligible to vote in the election. Of this group, only 40% actually did vote, while the majority (60%) did not. What was the reason for not voting? Overwhelmingly, it was related to clients not being enrolled (63%).

If these results are projected nationally, they suggest that up to 60% of the estimated 100,000 people who are homeless each night, that is, 60,000 adults may not vote in the forthcoming Federal Election. Hanover will collaborate with other agencies to ensure that one of the most disadvantaged groups in society has a greater opportunity to participate in the political process and able to cast their vote at the 2007 Federal Election.

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