Significant barriers to democratic participation exist for the more than 20,000 people experiencing homelessness on any one night in Victoria. It is a key priority of the VEC, through our community education programs, to maximise the opportunities homeless people have to enrol, vote and have their say in the democratic process.
Since 2006 the VEC has worked closely with homelessness agencies to ensure that everyone has access to the electoral process, regardless of their current living situation. We can provide:
Enrolment outreach sessions for people accessing homelessness agencies
Information sessions about the electoral process for agency workers
Provision of special voting facilities in the lead up to major elections.
You may also want to consider including an enrolment form in your client information packs or displaying enrolment materials at you agency.
If your agency would like to get involved in the Homeless not Voteless program, or you would like to book an enrolment or information session, or to find out more, please contact the Community Education Team.
"Over the past four years St Mary's House of Welcome, together with the VEC, has helped over 300 people to enrol and vote, with many voting for the first time. Imagine what we could achieve if every homeless agency in Victoria could do the same."
David Ring
Senior Social Worker
St Mary's House of Welcome
