Hillsborough County Referendum No. 3: Half-Cent School Sales Surtax
My vote power
High
Election date
November 3, 2026
Hillsborough County Referendum No. 3: Half-Cent School Sales Surtax is a ballot measure in Hillsborough County, Florida on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Hillsborough County would continue its half-cent school sales tax for 10 years starting in 2029. Shoppers would pay it, and the school board would use the money for air conditioning, buildings, safety upgrades, and maintenance.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.
Representation: Above average · 62 out of 100
This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 1,522,748 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(22,416,077 ÷ 1,522,748) ÷ ln(50,000) = 62.43, measured against a statewide vote in FL (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.
What does this measure do?
Hillsborough County would continue its half-cent school sales tax for 10 years starting in 2029. Shoppers would pay it, and the school board would use the money for air conditioning, buildings, safety upgrades, and maintenance.
Read the official ballot measure
A YES vote means
Continue the half-cent school sales tax for 10 years beginning January 1, 2029.
A NO vote means
Do not continue that school sales tax after its current term.
Source: votehillsborough.gov
Last updated September 24, 2026.