Georgetown County — Local Option Sales Tax

What it does

QUESTION 1 Must a one percent (1%) sales and use tax be levied in Georgetown County for the purpose of allowing a credit against a taxpayer's county and municipal ad valorem tax liability and for the purpose of funding county and municipal operations in the Georgetown County area?

A YES vote means

Georgetown County would levy a 1% sales tax to provide a credit against county and city property taxes and to fund county and city operations.

A NO vote means

Georgetown County would not levy this 1% local option sales tax.

What it would cost

1% sales tax: $1 on a $100 taxable purchase.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Georgetown County Council gave third and final reading on August 11, 2026 to the ordinance placing this Local Option Sales Tax referendum on the ballot, by a 6-1 vote with Council Member Raymond Newton voting no, according to the county.

The county says that under state law up to 71% of the revenue would go to property tax rollbacks on primary and secondary residences, vehicles, boats and other taxable property, with the remaining 29% available for county and municipal operations, services and projects, including additional tax relief.

The county says unprepared food, prescription medications and other items exempt from the state's 6% sales tax would remain exempt, and that 32 of South Carolina's 46 counties now have a Local Option Sales Tax.

Put on the ballot by Georgetown County Council, 6-1, August 11, 2026 (third reading; Council Member Newton opposed).

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Georgetown County mean?

Georgetown County would levy a 1% sales tax to provide a credit against county and city property taxes and to fund county and city operations.

What does a NO vote on Georgetown County mean?

Georgetown County would not levy this 1% local option sales tax.

How many votes does Georgetown County need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Georgetown County?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.