October 9, 2008 Pine Street Inn holds voter registration drive Play video

(Prat Thakkar, NECN) - Tonight at the Pine Street Inn in Boston, there's an effort to get the homeless population registered to vote.

Advocates at the shelter say getting homeless Americans registered to vote is important because they have a key perspective on housing and employment issues. It is also important because it gives them a full civic role once again.

This is the fourth year Pine Street Inn has held a voter registration drive, determined to erase misconceptions about voting rights. Many at the shelter believed that if you do not have a home, or you have been incarcerated, that you have lost your right to vote.

The drive also carries a bigger message. With or without a home, you have a voice.