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Posted inLocal News

Despite daily challenges, Silicon Valley’s unhoused people still have a voice at polls

by Joyce Chu, San Jose Spotlight November 5, 2024November 5, 2024

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Gary Diaz, 54, is planning to cast his vote on Nov. 5. Now that he has a roof over his head, he has the mental capacity to do things like voting. (Joyce Chu/San José Spotlight)

When Gary Diaz was homeless, all he could think about was how he was going to make it to the next day. Now that he’s staying at a temporary housing program at Tully Inn, he’s been able to get his head above water to do things that are important to him — and that includes voting.

For individuals who are homeless, many don’t know they have a right to vote. And even if they do, a lack of transportation and access to any technology or information about the issues or candidates are problems that confront this disenfranchised community, according to current and former homeless individuals and advocates.

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Tagged: California voters, civic engagement, Election 2024, equity, homeless, homeless crisis, homeless people, homelessness, housing projects, poverty, Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley

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