Voters in more than 40 communities across the state went to the polls this election cycle to determine whether to increase their taxes to fund school construction and major repairs.
As of 9:10 p.m., voters in seven of those communities had approved measures to implement an additional 1% sales tax dedicated specially for school construction.
In 16, voters rejected the measure. Results were still pending in 24 additional localities.
In some places, voter sentiment was clear. In Charlottesville, more than 71% of voters approved the measure, with about 28% voting no. In Grayson County, nearly 68% rejected the measure, compared to 32% who voted for it.
So far, the measure has been approved in Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Lexington, Middlesex, Prince Edward County, Radford and Waynesboro.
It failed in the cities of Covington and Emporia and in the counties of Amelia, Essex, Grayson, Greenville, Madison, Mathews, Orange, Powhatan, Pulaski, Smyth, Wythe and York, where multiple citizen campaigns were launched against the measure.
The ballot measures became possible after lawmakers included the new authority in Virginia’s 2026 budget, expanding a funding option that previously was available only to a limited number of localities.
Over the past five months, county officials and school leaders in many communities have been raising awareness about the rising costs of replacing outdated facilities, repairing roofs and heating and cooling systems, and modernizing school buildings.
In some localities, the measure united voters across party lines. In Wythe County, both the local Democrats and Republicans openly endorsed the measure — but it ultimately failed, with 63% of voters rejecting it.
Local and state officials have debated the need for increased funding for school construction for years.
Under the law, local governments may seek approval for a sales tax increase of up to 1%, but the tax is not automatic: Local officials must initiate a referendum, and voters must approve the proposal before the locality can impose it.
The new authority is optional, meaning localities can decide whether the approach fits their financial needs and priorities. The revenue collected through the tax is restricted to eligible school construction and major renovation projects — it cannot be used to cover routine operating expenses.
Under a 2020 law, nine localities previously had the authority to levy the additional tax.
Since then, those cities and counties, which include Henry County, Danville and Pittsylvania County, have raised more than $119 million through the tax.
Early projections show that under the new law, the tax could generate $1.27 billion statewide over three years, with local accounts varying based on how much revenue a community typically generates from sales taxes, according to projections from the Virginia Municipal League, based on data from the Virginia Department of Education.
