Reclaiming Our Communities’ Power
For too long in Virginia, decisions about our jobs, schools, housing, health, and safety have been made without us — by politicians far from our communities. Local Voices, Local Choices is a campaign that unites communities across Virginia to demand what’s ours: the right to decide what’s best for us and restore our voice and dignity. This is democracy as it should be — from the ground up. Let’s take our power back.
What Drives Us
We believe that the people closest to the problems are the ones closest to the solutions. Local Voices, Local Choices is a people-powered campaign fighting to bring real local democracy to Virginia.
For generations, an obscure legal concept steeped in racism, called Dillon’s Rule has allowed our state government to override decisions made by local governments and their communities — blocking progress on labor standards, housing, safety, schools, justice, etc. This top-down control strips power from the people who know their communities best. We are organizing across Virginia to change that. Through advocacy, storytelling, and grassroots leadership, we’re reclaiming our right to shape local solutions and strengthen local democracy.
When The State Says No, Our Communities Pay The Price
This short film tells the real stories of people who tried to protect their communities but were shut down by distant lawmakers. Watch what happens when local voices are ignored — and why we must reclaim our power.
Learn About Home Rule
If you don’t know the rules, you can’t change the game! Start with the quiz.
- Who usually makes the rules for your town or city?
- Can local governments in Virginia raise the minimum wage on their own?
Join the Fight to Reclaim our Communities’ Power
Change doesn’t come from the top — it starts with us.
Every day we wait, our voices stay silenced. Let’s change that.