Specific Circumstances
+Domestic Violence
In This Section…
+Safety Considerations
+Obstacles to Voting
+Policy Considerations
+Remaining Confidential
Voting + domestic violence
Survivors of intimate partner violence face unique barriers to voting. Many survivors do not register to vote because voter registration applications are sent to local or state election officials and become a public record that can be accessed by the general public. Survivors may also lack access to critical election-related information because they have been isolated by their abuser or are restricted from using the internet and social media. Nonetheless, advocates can share crucial information about elections and practice safety planning with survivors throughout the voter registration process. We invite you to browse the following resources to learn more about how we can ensure that survivors make their voices heard in elections.
Safety Considerations
Use an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) , which are state-administered programs that allow that allow survivors of domestic violence to register to vote without having their contact information become a public record
If your state has Election Day Registration (EDR), take advantage of this option. The benefit of EDR is that the voter’s information will not be in the state’s database before Election Day and will only be entered long enough to verify that they voted at the address at which they registered to vote. To utilize EDR, the voter will need to show up at their designated polling place with proof of ID and residency (rules vary by state) and submit a written request along with their registration application on the day of voting stating that they fear for their safety and wishes to be removed from the public voting rolls. Voters will have to re-register each time if they choose this method of registration.
Survivors of domestic violence may use a shelter address to register to vote
In this digital age many states now have an online statewide voter database to ensure that registration data is streamlined and up-to-date. However, voters should be aware that having a single database could potentially make it easier for abusers to acquire voter data and therefore access a survivor’s confidential information.
Learn more at the National Resources Center on Domestic Violence and Nonprofit VOTE
Check out Social Work Vote’s Podcast Episode: “Voting & The Unique Barriers That Survivors Of Domestic Violence May Face”
EPISODE DESCRIPTION: We talk to Yasmín Campos-Mendez, a Columbia University graduate who has been dedicated to researching ways to end domestic violence. She currently works as a Forensic Social Worker in the Manhattan Criminal and Supreme Court at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES). Additionally- she is also a researcher for Futures Without Violence- which collaborates with The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (“NTF”) in Washington D.C.
In this episode, we speak on barriers to voting for someone who may experience domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; perhaps more importantly, we discuss ways we can support someone to vote confidentially and safely and how we can advocate for policy changes to protect voters. Finally, we talk about how this conversation on voting safely might start in a clinical setting.
LISTEN ON: Spotify | Apple | Stitcher
Obstacles to Voting for Survivors
Isolation from election information and voting materials
Intimidation and threats of violence for voting or asserting voter preference
Privacy and other programs related to voter registration
What can be Done on a policy level?
Expand access to voting with pro-voter reforms
Offer address confidentiality programs
Improve information about elections for survivors and
Provide safety education to election officials
Remaining confidential while voting
See a full list of Address Confidentiality Laws by State
See the NRCDV’s Safety Considerations