Ballot question
City of Winchester: Sales tax of up to 1% for school construction
- On the ballot in
- City of Winchester
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Should an additional general retail sales tax not to exceed 1% be levied in the City for the payment of capital projects for the construction and/or renovation of schools serving the City in accordance with the Code of Virginia § 58.1-605.1? The revenue from the additional general sales tax not to exceed 1% shall be used solely for capital projects for the renovation or construction of City schools, financing and/or bonds, to the extent the capital projects are to be financed by bonds and/or loans, and the additional general sales tax not to exceed 1% shall expire no later than July 14, 2046.
A “Yes” vote means
City Council gets authority to levy an extra sales tax of up to 1% for school construction and renovation, expiring by July 14, 2046. Council would still have to adopt it by ordinance.
A “No” vote means
City Council does not get authority to levy an additional sales tax of up to 1% to fund school construction or major renovation.
Official plain English statement
During the 2026 general election, voters in the City of Winchester will be asked if an additional general retail sales tax not to exceed 1% be levied in the City. Revenue from the tax could only be used for qualifying capital projects involving the construction or major renovation of public schools serving the City of Winchester. The tax would expire on July 14, 2046.
Sources
- Proposed constitutional amendments and local referendums, November 3, 2026: City of Winchester · Virginia Department of Elections
- Voting: November 3, 2026 sample ballots by precinct · City of Winchester Voter Registration
- 1% for Schools Referendum · City of Winchester
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.