Albemarle County — Sales Tax

What it does

Shall the County of Albemarle impose a one-percent (1%) sales and use tax to fund capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools, with revenues to be used solely for those purposes, and the tax to expire on June 30, 2046?

A YES vote means

Albemarle County could levy an added local sales tax of 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring June 30, 2046.

A NO vote means

Albemarle County would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

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

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

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution on July 15, 2026 asking the county Circuit Court to order this referendum, on a motion by Supervisor Ann H. Mallek, according to the county's legislative records.

County staff wrote that the General Assembly authorized localities to add a 1% sales tax solely for school construction or renovation if local voters approve (Virginia Code §58.1-605.1). Under the statute, the tax would expire no later than June 30, 2046.

The staff report estimated the new tax could raise an additional $27.6 million a year, matching what the county expects from its existing 1% local sales tax in fiscal year 2027. The staff presentation gave a preliminary estimate of at least $20 million a year, said food and personal hygiene products would be exempt, and said collection could begin April 1, 2027.

Put on the ballot by Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, adopted July 15, 2026 (resolution petitioning the Circuit Court, Legistar file 26-323; tally not recorded in Legistar).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Albemarle County mean?

Albemarle County could levy an added local sales tax of 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring June 30, 2046.

What does a NO vote on Albemarle County mean?

Albemarle County would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

How many votes does Albemarle 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 Albemarle 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.