Foreclosure Can Affect Your Life in Many Ways

A recent article on CNN.com discussed guidelines that many states in the U.S. issued shortly before this past election, regarding the complex subject of voting while someone’s home is in the foreclosure process. Normally, people register to vote in whatever county they reside, but residency can be difficult in the midst of foreclosure. Often, individuals going through foreclosure drift from rental house to rental house or often live with friends or family.
While each state in the U.S. has its own laws regarding this topic, typically, if an individual owns a home that is in foreclosure, it doesn’t affect their right to vote, but it could affect where they vote. In a recent report, over 3 million homes in the U.S. are going through the process of foreclosure, and that’s a lot of potential votes that could sway an election.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued guidelines on how to register to vote for individuals who are going through foreclosure:

• If you have recently moved, you will have to re-register, if you’ve moved out of county or state. If you have moved within your county, you will need to update your address.
• In most states in the U.S., you can change your address until Election Day, or you can vote with a provisional ballot, if your name isn’t on the voter rolls.
• If the foreclosure process commenced against your home, but you haven’t moved, you are still registered to vote within that precinct.
• If the foreclosure process is finished, you will need to update your voter registration with your new address.
• If you don’t have a permanent address, most states permit you to use the address of the foreclosed property.

Going through foreclosure can affect a person’s life in many ways, besides just dictating where someone votes. It can impact an individual’s health, as the complex process brings added stress into their lives. Foreclosure can also affect a person’s personal life and strain their relationships with family and friends. With the holidays approaching, foreclosure can also determine whether a family is able to travel due to tightened finances.
Foreclosure is a decision that must be made carefully. It could be a wise decision to talk with a New Jersey attorney to learn how filing for bankruptcy can affect all aspects of your life. For more information, contact the Law Offices of Robert Manchel, and our lawyers can help you decide the best course of action during these hard times. Call us today at 866-503-5655.