City of Martinsville — Sales Tax (Martinsville City)

What it does

QUESTION: May the City of Martinsville levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%) as determined by its governing body to provide revenue solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools in the City of Martinsville, such tax expiring July 14, 2046?

A YES vote means

Martinsville could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring July 14, 2046.

A NO vote means

Martinsville 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

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

According to the City Manager's staff report, the resolution asks the Circuit Court of Martinsville and Henry County and the General Registrar to place on the ballot a question on an additional one percent (1%) local sales and use tax for school capital projects, as permitted under § 58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia.

The staff report states that revenue would be used solely for the construction, renovation or improvement of school facilities in the City, and that the tax is not anticipated to be used to repay bonds or loans, so it would expire in 2046 as provided by state law.

The staff report notes that adopting the resolution does not impose the tax, and that the resolution was drafted using the ballot question Henry County used in its 2020 election.

City Council adopted the resolution on July 14, 2026, by a 4–0 vote, with Councilman Mei absent, according to the meeting minutes.

Put on the ballot by Martinsville City Council, 4–0 (1 absent), July 14, 2026 (resolution requesting a referendum under Va. Code § 58.1-605.1).

From official source 1, official source 2.

In the news

• Martinsville adds 1% sales tax referendum for school construction to November's ballot · Cardinal News, 2026-07-15

Next elections here

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

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Martinsville mean?

Martinsville could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for school construction or renovation projects, expiring July 14, 2046.

What does a NO vote on City of Martinsville mean?

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

How many votes does City of Martinsville 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 Martinsville?

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.