Virginia OKs three constitutional amendments; Chesterfield school tax leads narrowly
TL;DR: Virginia voters approved three constitutional amendments on reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, and voting rights restoration, while Chesterfield County narrowly passed a school construction sales tax.
Quick facts
- Who: Virginia voters across the state; Chesterfield County voters
- What: Approval of three constitutional amendments and a local 1% school construction sales tax
- When: November 3, 2026
- Where: Virginia statewide and Chesterfield County
The story
Virginia voters on November 3 approved three constitutional amendments to the state constitution. The reproductive rights amendment, which enshrines the right to abortion and reproductive health care decisions, passed with 62 percent voting yes. The marriage equality amendment, which removes Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage and requires the state to recognize marriages between two adults regardless of sex, gender or race, passed with 57 percent support. A third amendment automatically restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals after they complete their prison sentences passed with 55 percent approval.
In Chesterfield County, voters approved the "1 for Schools" referendum with 50.4 percent support. The measure authorizes the county to levy an additional 1 percentage point in local retail sales tax, with revenue dedicated solely to qualifying public school construction and renovation projects. The sales tax is estimated to generate between $65 million and $70 million annually. As part of the package, the county planned to reduce the real estate tax rate by 2 cents and the personal property tax rate by 10 cents, offsetting a portion of the new sales tax.
In Richmond, voters more decisively approved a similar school construction sales tax measure, with 66.9 percent voting yes, generating an estimated $47 million annually for school construction and major repairs.
Both the marriage equality and reproductive rights constitutional amendments faced separate legal challenges seeking to block certification of their results.
Key players
- Virginia voters: Approved three statewide constitutional amendments
- Chesterfield County voters: Approved the 1 for Schools referendum
The case for
Chesterfield's school construction sales tax provides a dedicated funding stream for capital improvements to school facilities without relying on general fund dollars, allowing the county to modernize buildings while offering offsetting reductions to property tax rates.
The case against
The sales tax increase affects all consumers in the county, including those without school-age children, and represents an additional cost to residents and businesses during a period of fiscal pressures.
Why it matters: The constitutional amendments reshape protections for Virginians' personal rights, while the school tax gives Chesterfield County a long-term revenue source for modernizing its school buildings, which will affect educational facilities and quality for years to come.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-11-03Virginia voters approve three constitutional amendments: Voters statewide approved amendments on reproductive rights (62%), same-sex marriage (57%), and voting rights restoration (55%) [source]
- 2026-11-03Chesterfield County approves 1 for Schools referendum: Voters narrowly approved 50.4% the 1% school construction sales tax measure [source]
- 2026-11-03Richmond voters approve school tax measure: Richmond City voters approved 66.9% the 1% sales tax for school construction [source]
Related links
- 1 for Schools - Chesterfield County Official
- Virginia Constitutional Amendments Results
- Election Day 2026 - Virginia Mercury
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 (YouTube) →
Sources
- Virginia voters etch reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and voting restoration into constitution
- Virginia voters approve abortion, marriage and voting rights
- Virginia voters sign off on all 3 constitutional amendments
- Central Virginia voters make their choices on 1% sales tax referendum
- 1 for Schools - Chesterfield County Official