City of Emporia — Sales Tax (Emporia City)

What it does

Should City of Emporia, Virginia, be authorized to levy an additional local general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%), provided that the revenues from the additional sales tax shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools in the City? If the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools in the City are to be financed by bonds or loans, the additional sales tax shall expire on the date by which such bonds or loans shall be repaid if the capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools in the City are not to be financed by bonds or loans, the additional sales tax shall expire on June 30, 2046.

A YES vote means

Emporia could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring when any bonds or loans for the projects are repaid, or June 30, 2046, if none are used.

A NO vote means

Emporia would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

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

Greensville County, the City of Emporia and Greensville County Public Schools issued a joint overview of the two separate referendums, one for county voters and one for city voters. They say approval in one locality does not count as approval in the other.

The overview says the primary focus is building a new high school complex or majorly renovating existing high school facilities. It says the money could not go to salaries, instructional supplies or day-to-day operating costs.

According to the overview, a yes vote only authorizes the city to consider an ordinance levying the tax. The tax would not apply to food bought for home consumption or essential personal hygiene products.

Put on the ballot by Emporia City Council, 2026 (resolution date and vote not found in an online official record).

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

Next elections here

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Emporia mean?

Emporia could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring when any bonds or loans for the projects are repaid, or June 30, 2046, if none are used.

What does a NO vote on City of Emporia mean?

Emporia would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

How many votes does City of Emporia 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 City of Emporia?

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.