Protections
for Elections
VA
Richmond
Pop. ~227,000 · Strong Mayor-Council · VA Independent City Charter (Dillon's Rule state)
Armed federal agents at your polling place
are already illegal. Your city council can enforce it.
§
Any federal employee who stations armed personnel at a polling place commits a felony. No exceptions — not for law enforcement, not for "keeping the peace." The DOJ's own manual bans FBI agents from polling places.
5 YEARS PRISON $250,000 FINE PERMANENT BAR FROM OFFICE
Legal Authority
Virginia is a strict Dillon Rule state, severely limiting municipal authority to act independently.
Why It Can Work Here
state capital; Democratic-leaning; institutional capacity
What the Ordinance Would Do
Direct city police not to assist armed federal personnel near polling places. No new criminal penalties — just a policy on how the city's own resources are used.
9 members · 9 district + mayor at-large
Strong mayor system; mayor is chief executive. Council elects president and vice president.
Richmond City Hall
900 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 646-7955
rva.gov/office-city-clerk
Meetings
Mon
6:00 PM
2nd & 4th Mon
1
Call your council member and tell them you want Richmond to pass a Protections for Elections ordinance enforcing the federal ban on armed troops at polls.
(804) 646-7955
2
Show up to the next council meeting. Public comment is open to all residents. Three minutes at the mic changes priorities.
MonS · 6:00 PM · Richmond City Hall
3
Bring a friend. Two people speaking makes it a pattern. Five makes it a movement. Give this flyer to three people you know.
Get Connected → ACLU of VirginiaLWV VirginiaUniversity of Virginia School of...Virginia NAACP State ConferenceBrennan Center for Justice