May 26th, 2026
To: Richmond Public Schools School Board
Shavonda Fernandez, 9th District, Chair
Jason Kamras, Superintendent
From: League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Inc., Board of Directors
Subject: Considering reclassification of RPS facilities as polling places
Dear Chair Fernandez, Superintendent Karmas, and Members of the School Board,
The League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Inc (LWV RMA) is reaching out in regard to the discussions to remove Richmond Public Schools (RPS) facilities from the city’s list of active polling locations.
As an organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy, the League deeply understands and validates the logistical strains that frequent election closures place on Richmond families. The disruption of unexpected "lost days" of learning—particularly during special elections—and the resulting childcare burdens on parents/guardians are significant, valid community concerns. We know you must think of the kids first.
However, we urge the School Board to proceed with extreme caution and a commitment to rigorous, equitable planning before making a final decision to restrict these public spaces. Public schools are frequently the only buildings within a neighborhood that fully meet the legal and physical requirements for a successful precinct. If the 26 school buildings currently utilized for voting are removed it could potentially severely disrupt the voting process for thousands of Richmond residents.
Voter Notification Costs: As correctly noted by Mr. Stanley, under Virginia law, every single registered voter in an affected precinct must be formally notified by mail of a polling place change. Shifting up to 26 locations would trigger a massive, city-wide mailing operation. Spending limited municipal funds on printer, paper, and postal outreach to tell people where to vote—when they already know to look for their neighborhood school—is an inefficient use of public resources, especially when the Registrar's office shares the same limited pool of funds as RPS.
Communication Gaps and Disenfranchisement: The simple act of changing a long-established polling location naturally creates a drop in voter turnout. No matter how thoroughly a mailing campaign is executed, a significant portion of the public does not read or receive local government notices, leading to confusion and accidental disenfranchisement on Election Day. RPS is keenly and uniquely aware of this obstacle; your administration works incredibly hard every day to bridge communication barriers with a diverse, multilingual student and parent/guardian population. Just as RPS knows how difficult it is to ensure every family receives critical school updates, the city will face that exact same uphill battle trying to inform voters that their neighborhood school is no longer their polling place.
Geographic Equity and Voter Turnout: Public schools are strategically positioned in the heart of our communities, making them walkable and highly recognizable to local residents. Relocating these sites out of neighborhoods—particularly in historically underserved districts—could force voters to travel further, creating a direct barrier to democratic participation.
ADA Accessibility: School buildings are heavily regulated to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Finding alternative public spaces (such as community centers or libraries) or private spaces (such as churches or non-profit spaces) that match these strict accessibility standards for elderly voters and voters with disabilities is incredibly difficult.
The League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area believes that a healthy democracy requires both accessible education and accessible elections. We stand ready to collaborate with Richmond Public Schools, Registrar David Levine, and the City Council to ensure that any adjustments to our local polling map protect the educational needs of our children without compromising the voting rights of our citizens.
Thank you for your dedication to our students and your careful, democratic consideration of this vital community issue.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area Inc.
Written and delivered by Anna Mason, LWV RMA Co-President
president@lwv-rva.org