By Forum Staff
The City Council on Friday encouraged constituents to make their voices heard during Participatory Budgeting Vote Week from March 29 through April 6.
New Yorkers can vote online at rnd.council.nyc.gov/PB_Voting/ or in-person at voting sites in the 25 participating council districts to decide how $25 million in capital funding will be spent in the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. New Yorkers will be able to consider projects focused on improving neighborhood schools, parks, libraries, and other public spaces.
Participating Queens council districts include: 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 34.
“Participatory Budgeting is an incredible opportunity for our community to have a direct say in how public funds are spent to improve our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills). “From parks and schools to street safety and community spaces, your vote helps decide which projects receive funding. I encourage everyone in District 29 to make their voices heard during Vote Week from March 29 to April 6—your ideas, your vote, your impact!”
New Yorkers can call or contact their Council Member’s office or check their social media pages to confirm the exact hours, locations, and times of neighborhood Participatory Budgeting poll sites. Council Member’s District Offices will also be used as voting sites during the week.
The Participatory Budgeting proposals on this year’s ballots were created by New Yorkers who attended neighborhood assemblies and budget delegate meetings throughout the fall and winter. All projects are capital budget proposals, which are significant neighborhood infrastructure investments. They were crafted and refined in partnership with relevant city agencies and facilitated by participating Council Members’ offices.
2025 marks the 14th year that the City Council has hosted Participatory Budgeting since the initiative began in 2011.
“As we kick off Participatory Budgeting Vote Week on March 29th, I encourage New Yorkers in participating districts to get out and vote for their favorite projects to improve their communities,” said Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “As a proud, longtime supporter of Participatory Budgeting, I’m proud to have allocated nearly $5.5 million to fund dozens of projects in my own district, while also encouraging more residents to be civically engaged and involved in their community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to and engaged in this process, and remember to vote online or in person from March 29 through April 6!”
“Democracy in America is under attack, but here in Queens we believe in people power. No one knows how to address the challenges facing our community better than the community itself,” said Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria). “That’s why my office devotes over $1 million to participatory budgeting every year. Our neighbors should be empowered to vote for how they want our taxpayer dollars to be spent. Our commitment to democracy demands it. I hope everyone who lives, works, or goes to school in District 22 will get involved in participatory budgeting. We keep us safe.”
Councilman Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) added, “This year we will focus on investments that improve schools across our district, especially important now more than ever as funding for Title I schools is under attack. I would like to extend a special token of appreciation to our budget delegates – we couldn’t reach the finish line without their invaluable contributions.”
