Commonwealth of Virginia
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Full text of Chapter (plain text) (Chapter 853, Acts of Assembly 2002)
Full text of Chapter (PDF) (Chapter 853, Acts of Assembly 2002)
Regional sales tax referenda in Northern Virginia and Eastern Virginia for Transportation projects. Chapter 853 of the 2002 Acts of Assembly requires that referenda be held in Northern Virginia and in Eastern Virginia in November 2002 on the questions of increasing the sales and use tax by one-half of one percent and one percent in each region respectively, for transportation purposes in those regions.
A favorable vote on the question in Northern Virginia (the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park) would authorize the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to issue debt in a principal amount not exceeding $2,800,000,000 for specified transportation projects, and to pay the interest and principal of such debt with the additional revenues generated by an increase of one-half of one percent in the sales and use tax in that region.
The ballots in these localities will contain the following question:
"QUESTION: Shall an additional sales and use tax of one-half of one percent be imposed in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park, with the revenues to be used solely for regional transportation projects and programs as specified in Chapter 853 of the Acts of Assembly of 2002?"
A favorable vote on the question in Eastern Virginia (counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York, and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg) would authorize the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission to issue debt in a principal amount not exceeding $5,990,000,000 for specified transportation projects, and to pay the interest and principal of such debt with the additional revenues generated by an increase of one percent in the sales and use tax in that region.
The ballots in these localities will contain the following question:
"QUESTION: Shall an additional sales and use tax of one percent be imposed in Isle of Wight County, James City County, York County, the City of Chesapeake, the City of Hampton, the City of Newport News, the City of Norfolk, the City of Poquoson, the City of Portsmouth, the City of Suffolk, the City of Virginia Beach, and the City of Williamsburg, with the revenues to be used solely for regional transportation projects and programs as specified in Chapter 853 of the Acts of Assembly of 2002?"
Acts of Assembly of 2002, Chapter 853
At the election on November 5, 2002. Voters will vote at their regular polling places. Polls will be open from 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM.
What is the last day to register to vote or change my address for this election?
October 7, 2002
How do I find out if I am registered to vote, or apply to vote absentee?
Contact the voter registration office for the locality in which you reside.
Who may vote on these questions?
Only the qualified voters in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park may vote on the Northern Virginia referendum.
Only the qualified voters in the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York, and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg may vote on the Eastern Virginia referendum.
How will the results be tallied?
As directed by the Act, the local Electoral Boards will certify the votes from their localities to the State Board of Elections, which will total the votes for and against each question and meet to certify the results on the fourth Monday in November. A majority of all the votes cast on the referendum in the Northern Virginia region is required for approval of the Northern Virginia referendum. A majority of all the votes cast on the referendum in the Eastern Virginia region is required for approval of the Eastern Virginia referendum.