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The right to vote:
So what’s happening for people who experience homelessness?
VCOSS CONGRESS 2007
Beyond Citizenship: Visions for Rights and Real Engagement
1 – 2 August 2007
Violet Kolar
Overview
Active citizenship - voting
Findings from Hanover’s voting census - Victorian State Election 25 Nov 2006
Implications
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Hanover
Established 1964 in Melbourne
Individuals & families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness
Housing; Support; Research
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Key questions
How many clients were eligible to vote?
How many clients actually did vote?
What were the barriers for clients who did not vote?
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Target group:
Every adult who was a client at any one of Hanover’s services over a 3 week period following the Victorian State Election
Crisis accommodation; transitional housing; other support
Estimated 400 clients
230 clients participated (58% response rate)
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Q1. How many clients eligible to vote?
90
82
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Total (N=230)
Yes, eligible
No citizenship
Not 18 years
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible clients and service type (N=208)
24
60
16
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Crisisaccommodation
Transitionalhousing
Other support
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible women and men (N=208)
44
56
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Women
Men
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible clients with dependent children (N=208)
50
61
35
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Total
Women
Men
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Q2. What % of eligible clients did vote?
40
60
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Total (N=208)
Yes,voted
Did notvote
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible clients who voted by Service Type
20
46 47
80
54 53
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Crisisaccommodation
Transitionalhousing
Other support
Yes, voted
Did not vote
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible clients who voted by Gender
50
29
50
71
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Women (n=115) Men (n=92)
Yes,voted
Did notvote
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Eligible clients who did not vote by Family Status
67
3233
68
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Women Men
Dependentchildren
No children
List of possible barriers to voting:
Not enrolled to vote
Too many other issues to deal with
Not interested in election
Not aware election was on
Other (please specify)
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Q3. What were the barriers to voting?
2
3
3
15
24
32
63
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
*Other
*Missed opportunity
*Disillusioned/distrustpoliticians
Not aware election on
No interest in election
Too many other issues todeal with
Not enrolled to vote
Key Issues
Majority of eligible clients did not vote in the Nov 2006 Victorian State Election
Higher proportion who did not vote were in crisis accommodation compared with transitional or other support
Men, overall, not engaged in political process
Barriers to voting:
Enrolment – related to process
Remaining issues – related to civic engagement
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
So what?
Participation in the political process denied
Disenfranchisement – important disadvantage
Electoral roll changes
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Electoral rolls
Previously, when election called, 7 days to enrol or update details.
Now, electoral rolls close soon after election called
Enrolling for first time – rolls close day election called
Re-enrolling – rolls close day election called
Address or name details need updating – rolls close 3 days after election called
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Proof of identify
Australian driver’s licence number, or
Passport, birth certificate, Medicare card, Centrelink concession card – show to authorised person on electoral roll who will then sign declaration form, or
Need 2 people who are enrolled & have known you for minimum of 1 month to confirm your identity
(www.aec.gov.au)VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
Where to from here?
Discussions with Victorian division of the AEC & other agencies – PILCH
VEC – Statewide Enrolment Day
Raise awareness for staff & clients
Enrolment forms at Hanover services
Postal votes
Post-federal election census
VCOSS CONGRESS 1 – 2 AUGUST 2007
