Greenville County — Sales and Use Tax, Question 1

What it does

I approve a special sales and use tax in the amount of one percent to be imposed in Greenville County for not more than eight (8) years, or until a total of $1,100,000,000 in resulting revenue has been collected, whichever occurs first. The sales tax proceeds will be used to fund the following projects: Project (1) For financing the costs of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and other transportation-related projects facilities, and drainage facilities related thereto. $990,000,000 Project (2) For financing the costs of mass transit systems operated by Greenville County or jointly operated by the County and other governmental entities. Mass transit is to include but not be limited to the operation and expansion of the mass transit system as defined by Greenville Transit Authority's Transit Development Plan including improved frequency and enhanced routes. $33,000,000 Project (3) For financing the costs of greenbelts. To the extent permitted by the Act, greenbelts are to include but not be limited to acquiring land and conservation easements for the following: expanding public parks and green spaces, lands for active sports fields, securing water access points, expanding trails and greenways, protecting lands critical to wildlife, floodwater management, working farms and forests, natural resource management, historic preservation and protecting drinking water sources and water quality in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other water bodies. $77,000,000

A YES vote means

Greenville County would impose a 1% sales tax for up to eight years or until $1,100,000,000 is collected: $990,000,000 for roads and bridges, $33,000,000 for mass transit, and $77,000,000 for greenbelts.

A NO vote means

Greenville County would not impose this 1% sales tax.

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

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

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

According to the referendum text filed with the South Carolina Election Commission, the 1% tax would last up to eight years or until $1.1 billion is collected, with up to $990,000,000 for roads, bridges and related drainage, $33,000,000 for mass transit, and $77,000,000 for greenbelts such as parks, trails and conservation land.

Fox Carolina reported that Greenville County Council voted 9-3 on July 21, 2026 to place the measure on the ballot, and that voters rejected a 2024 county sales tax for roads.

Fox Carolina reported that unlike 2024 there is no fixed project list: municipalities and other eligible entities would propose projects approved through the county budget, a council-appointed Transportation Transparency Committee would review spending, and that the ordinance as amended directs at least 20% of revenue to a credit against county property taxes.

Put on the ballot by Greenville County Council, July 21, 2026 (ordinance; 9-3 vote as reported by Fox Carolina, official minutes not found).

From official source.

In the news

• Greenville County's 2026 transportation tax vs. 2024: What's different and what's on the ballot · Fox Carolina, 2026-07-23

Next elections here

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

Also on Greenville County ballots

• Greenville County — Sales and Use Tax, Question 2 (bonds)

All Greenville County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Greenville County mean?

Greenville County would impose a 1% sales tax for up to eight years or until $1,100,000,000 is collected: $990,000,000 for roads and bridges, $33,000,000 for mass transit, and $77,000,000 for greenbelts.

What does a NO vote on Greenville County mean?

Greenville County would not impose this 1% sales tax.

How many votes does Greenville 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 Greenville 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.