Instructions for completing the front of the ballot
Instructions on completing the rear of the ballot
How Ranked Voting works
Review ALL Projects - Review the list of projects on the ballot.
Choose 3 - Choose your top 3 projects and rank them in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
Most popular wins - The project that reaches above 50% of public vote is the FIRST to be funded; If the district has funds leftover after the first project is funded - further funds will be allocated to the next selected project(s) UNTIL district funds have been exhausted
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I vote?
You can vote online or in person between April 1 - 15, 2025. To vote online, visit linktr.ee/rvapb. To vote in person, check our website or social media for voting locations and dates.
What are the voting dates?
Voting is open from April 1 - 15, 2025. You can cast your vote anytime online or visit an in-person voting site during designated dates.
Who can vote?
Anyone 14 years or older who lives, works or plays in Richmond can vote in the People’s Budget. No ID is required— each voter MUST complete the honor pledge and provide their full name.
What is RVAPB?
RVAPB (Richmond’s People’s Budget) is a participatory budgeting process led by Richmond City Council. It allows YOU—the residents—to decide how to spend $3 million on projects that will improve your community. You're voting on community improvement projects that Richmond residents submitted and helped develop. These projects address things like parks, transportation, public safety, accessibility, and more. The projects that receive the most votes will be funded by the City of Richmond.
Who came up with the projects we are voting on?
Richmond residents submitted ideas, and a team of Budget Delegates (volunteers from each district) worked to research, refine, and prioritize those ideas into concrete project proposals that are now on the ballot.
When did these ideas get collected?
The Idea Collection Phase took place in Fall 2024, during which residents submitted nearly 1,926 ideas online and in person.
When can we expect to learn which projects won?
Winning projects will be announced after the voting period ends in Spring 2025 (around May). Stay tuned to RVAPB’s website and social media for official results.
How long will it be before the projects are built?
Winning projects will start to be funded as early as July 2025. The timeline for completion varies based on the project, but the goal is for projects to be implemented within one year of funding.
Where is the money coming from?
The funding for the People’s Budget comes from the overall Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget. For FY 2026, the CIP budget is $549 million, with the People’s Budget receiving approximately 0.005% of that total.
How was the overall $3 million divided?
Each district received a base allocation of $200,000, with the remaining funds distributed using the RVA2050 Climate Equity Index. This index considers factors such as health and safety, income and education, housing and transportation, population, and household demographics to allocate resources based on social vulnerability.
The final funding distribution per district is as follows:
Districts 1, 2, 4: $200,000 each
Districts 3, 5, 7: $300,000 each
Districts 6, 8, 9: $500,000 each
¿Cuántos proyectos puedo votar?
Citizens can vote on 3 projects per district in Ranked Order.
Why should we trust this process?
The People’s Budget is a city-led, community-driven initiative that gives Richmond residents direct decision-making power over public funds. The process is transparent, inclusive, and designed to reflect the needs of the community. Every step, from idea collection to project selection and voting, has been shaped by Richmond residents like you.
Lastly - send this video to someone you want to get out and vote!
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