The school sales tax referendum in Martinsville passed by just 10 votes — the closest margin of any in the state on the issue.
The 40 provisional ballots cast on Election Day and announced Tuesday afternoon made the difference. Yes votes held a three-vote edge as of Friday. Of the 40 provisionals, 39 were counted with 23 yes votes and 16 nos — providing the 10-vote difference.
Martinsville is one of 15 localities in Virginia to pass the referendum, which will implement an additional 1% sales tax dedicated specifically to school construction and renovation projects. Forty-seven localities had the referendum on the ballot, and it failed in the other 32 communities.
The city schools could gain more than $2 million a year in revenue from the sales tax, according to projections provided by the Virginia Municipal League based on data from the Virginia Department of Taxation.
“This is a game changer for Martinsville city schools,” said Superintendent Zebedee Talley, who said the division needs to replace multiple roofs that are about $1 million each.
Talley said he was surprised the vote was so close. He said in July that he was confident voters would pass the referendum.
“I thought it would be no contest,” Talley said. “But I’m grateful and thankful that we came out on the positive side of it.”
There will not be a recount on the referendum unless voters file a petition with at least 50 signatures, according to Virginia law. Recounts on referendums can happen if the difference is less than 50 votes.
After ballots were counted on Election Day, yes votes led by five with the outcome depending on provisional and mail-in ballots. The four mail-in ballots were counted Friday — tightening the margin to three votes.
The referendum was added to the ballot in July after a unanimous vote by the city council.
Martinsville passing the referendum mirrors a statewide trend of the measure passing in more cities than counties, although Henry County voters passed the referendum in 2020. The tax increase in the county has brought in more than $28 million. County school improvement projects include elevators at two elementary schools, fieldhouses for both high schools and HVAC systems.
After Martinsville replaces roofs, the next school projects include HVAC systems, flooring and paving, Talley said.
Martinsville has older schools that require upkeep. The newest school building in the city was built nearly 60 years ago. The middle school was originally built in 1939.
The tax increase will be in effect until 2046 when another referendum would be required.
