Virginia School Tax Referendums Will Appear on Ballot
Over 40 localities across Virginia will host sales tax referendums for schools or transportation this November.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Administration
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Would you support a new local sales tax to fund school construction in your community?
More than 40 Virginia localities will hold a sales tax referendum alongside the November 3, 2026, general elections. While Fairfax City included the measure on its ballot, several other Northern Virginia jurisdictions opted out.
Why it matters
Local leaders in parts of Northern Virginia chose to avoid the referendum due to ambiguity surrounding how tax proceeds should be divided between school construction and transportation projects. They are instead seeking to coordinate a future regional strategy rather than pursuing isolated action.
Over 40 Virginia localities have confirmed the sales tax referendum for the November 3, 2026 ballot. Additionally, voters will decide on three proposed amendments to the Virginia constitution during this same election cycle.
The players
Fairfax City
Fairfax City is an independent city in Virginia that decided to place the tax referendum on the November 2026 ballot.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia represents the regional jurisdictions that collectively chose to exclude the school construction sales tax referendum from their local ballots.
The details
Localities are authorized to select whether the proposed sales tax funding should be designated specifically for school construction, transportation improvements, or both. Voters will encounter these measures while casting ballots for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
Timeline
Voting on the referendums and general elections ends on November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
The push for local sales tax measures reflects a broader shift toward regional fiscal autonomy within Virginia. This trend contrasts with the state's traditional reliance on centralized constitutional amendment processes for major funding changes.
Residents in participating localities will need to review their specific ballot to determine if the tax applies to school construction, transportation, or both. Voters should be prepared to address these local fiscal questions alongside federal races when they head to the polls on November 3, 2026.
The takeaway
Voters should carefully examine local ballot language as funding priorities for school infrastructure and transportation vary significantly by jurisdiction. Understanding these local revenue options is essential for participating in community-level fiscal decision-making.
Further reading
For additional context on how local government measures are organized, visit Administration.
Live Poll
Would you support a new local sales tax to fund school construction in your community?
