Campaign under way to register Homeless voters

12:40 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 17, 2004

By Shern-Min Chow / 11 News

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HOUSTON -- About 40 homeless Houstonians registered to vote Tuesday morning during a drive by the League of Women voters.

The potential voters filled out all of the necessary paperwork and were shown how to use the e-Slate voting machines.

William Horton says he's voted before and is ready to do so again.

"It's my duty and my responsibility," said Horton.

Willie Tarber, 70, is homeless and, he says, more panhandler than political observer, even with presidential candidates.

"Kerry? And wait a minute now -- what about Hillary Clinton?" asks Tarber.

KHOU-TV Willie Tarber is among the homeless people The League of Women Voters would like to register to vote.

Outside the SEARCH resource center for the homeless, The Korean War veteran says he's voted -- once.

"It was President Kennedy, I believe," said Tarber.

Inside the resource center -- more food for thought.

"What do you know about John Kerry?" Arpolia Brown, a Bush supporter, asked another homeless person during a political discussion over lunch.

Unlike most here, Arpolia Brown is both a political junkie and a registered voter. SEARCH wants to more like her so they asked the League of Women voters to organize the voter registration drive.

The homeless already use the SEARCH center as a mailbox for job applications so why not voter cards? On Election Day, SEARCH plans to have vans shuttling them to the polls.

Certainly there is no shortage of issues for the homeless, particularly those who are veterans.

"...Jobs, the war situation that's going on, just the environment and healthcare," said Vincent Shorter, a homeless vet.

But before you can register, the law requires you to be of sound mind.

"The person registering the voter has to use some judgement," explained Judy Hollinger with the League of Women Voters.

The League believes those who are unable or uninterested are unlikely to register.

The League of Women Voters will be at the Search Center at 2502 Fannin Tuesday and Wednesday.

For a complete schedule of voter registration drives: League of Women Voters.