City of Newport News — Sales Tax (Newport News City)

What it does

Shall the City of Newport News, Virginia be allowed to enact an additional local retail sales tax of up to one percent (1%) to provide revenues that shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Newport News? This additional tax would expire on June 30, 2046.

A YES vote means

Newport News could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for construction or major renovation of schools, expiring June 30, 2046.

A NO vote means

Newport News 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

According to the City of Newport News, City Council adopted Resolution 13999-26 on July 14, 2026 to start the referendum. The School Board adopted a supporting resolution on July 21, and the Newport News Circuit Court ordered the question onto the ballot on July 23.

The city says a yes vote would authorize City Council to adopt the tax by a separate ordinance. The combined sales tax rate would rise from 6% to up to 7%, with groceries, essential personal hygiene products and gas exempt from the new rate.

The city estimates the tax would raise $25 million to $30 million a year for school construction and major renovation, and lists the expiration as June 30, 2046.

Put on the ballot by Newport News City Council, July 14, 2026 (Resolution 13999-26); ordered onto the ballot by the Newport News Circuit Court July 23, 2026 (council tally not stated on the city page).

From official source.

Next elections here

• Virginia election 2027 · November 2, 2027: All 100 House of Delegates seats and all 40 state Senate seats
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Newport News mean?

Newport News could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for construction or major renovation of schools, expiring June 30, 2046.

What does a NO vote on City of Newport News mean?

Newport News would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

How many votes does City of Newport News 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 Newport News?

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.