Guilford County's quarter-cent sales tax passed with 62.9% after failing in 2024, and Sheriff Danny Rogers won another term. Results are unofficial until Nov. 13.
Guilford County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase Tuesday. Most of the money is set aside for teacher pay supplements.
The referendum passed 129,732 to 76,669, or 62.9% to 37.1%, with all 165 county precincts reporting. The figures are unofficial results from the N.C. State Board of Elections. The same question failed two years ago, when 59.8% of Guilford voters said no, according to the state’s 2024 results.
The results become official at the county canvass at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, the county board of elections said.
What the sales tax pays for
The tax adds 25 cents to every $100 of taxable purchases in Guilford County. State law fixes how the money is split, according to the county’s referendum page. It cites estimates from the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division:
| Purpose | Share | Estimated a year |
|---|---|---|
| Supplements for teachers and instructional support staff | 70% | $20.2 million |
| Fire protection, mainly rural fire departments | 18% | $5.3 million |
| Guilford Technical Community College | 8% | $2.2 million |
| Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Stokesdale, Summerfield and Whitsett | 4% | $1.3 million |
High Point is not one of the five towns on the county’s list. The towns’ money goes to them directly, not through the county. Changing the split would take a change in state law, the county said.
The tax does not apply to prescriptions, motor vehicles, certain medical equipment, gasoline or groceries, the county said.
It is not in effect yet. The county’s schedule is:
- Nov. 19: the county gives 10 days’ public notice that it intends to levy the tax.
- Dec. 17: the Board of Commissioners considers a resolution levying it.
- April 2027: collection begins, if the resolution is adopted.
- July 2027: the state begins distributing the money.
The tax is Guilford County’s. Stores in the parts of High Point that lie in Davidson, Randolph or Forsyth counties are not covered by it.
Sheriff and county commission
Sheriff Danny Rogers, a Democrat, won with 143,283 votes, or 66.6%. Republican Phil Byrd had 71,711.
Board of Commissioners results:
- At-large: Greg Drumwright (D) 142,467, Mike Perdue (R) 71,657.
- District 2: Scott A. Jones (D) 13,076, Alan Perdue (R) 12,364. Jones leads by 712 votes.
- District 3: Derek Mobley (D) 19,274, Pat Tillman (R) 15,329, Jeanine Couto (Green) 862.
- Districts 1 and 7: Carlvena Foster and Lisa McMillan, both Democrats, were unopposed.
Board of Education
- At-large: Alan Sherouse (D), unopposed.
- District 4: Ebony Burnett (D) 20,068, Tracy Gaskins (R) 12,424.
- District 6: Khem D. Irby (D) 18,817, Maritza Gomez (R) 10,045.
- Districts 2 and 8: Crissy Pratt (R) and Deena Hayes-Greene (D) were unopposed.
Congress
High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson won the 6th District, 140,001 to 133,737, over Republican Rep. Addison McDowell. Our story on his win explains what it means for the mayor’s seat.
The 5th District is the closest race on Guilford ballots. Democrat Chuck Hubbard had 139,034 votes districtwide to Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx’s 138,935. That is a 99-vote lead out of more than 285,000 votes cast, with all 230 precincts reporting. Totals can still change at the county canvasses.
In the 9th District, Democrat Richard N. Ojeda II had 138,707 votes to Republican Rep. Richard Hudson’s 132,692.
For U.S. Senate, Democrat Roy Cooper won statewide with 58.7%. He had 70.1% in Guilford County.
Legislature
Several Guilford contests were close. Districtwide totals:
| Seat | Result |
|---|---|
| N.C. Senate 26 | Sam Page (R) 50,217, Steve Luking (D) 43,202 |
| N.C. House 59 | Elma Hairston (D) 22,405, Alan Branson (R) 20,812 |
| N.C. House 60 | Amanda Cook (D) 20,212, Joseph Perrotta (R) 7,650 |
| N.C. House 62 | Shelly Headen (D) 21,367, John M. Blust (R) 21,134 |
Luking led in the Guilford County part of Senate District 26, 30,052 to 29,322, but Page won the district. Headen’s lead in House District 62 is 233 votes. Senate Districts 27 and 28 and House Districts 57, 58 and 61 were uncontested.
Constitutional amendments
All three amendments to the state constitution passed statewide:
| Amendment | Statewide yes | Guilford yes |
|---|---|---|
| Require photo ID for voting | 59.6% | 52.1% |
| Maximum income tax rate of 3.5% | 61.9% | 55.2% |
| Property tax levy limit | 60.4% | 54.3% |
What it means for you
- Sales tax: nothing changes at the register until at least April 2027, and only if commissioners adopt the levy Dec. 17. Groceries, gas and prescriptions stay exempt.
- Close races: the 5th District and House District 62 margins are within a few hundred votes. Watch for the Nov. 13 canvass.
- Provisional ballots: if you voted provisionally or without ID, you have until noon Friday, Nov. 6, to give the county board what it asked for, so your ballot counts. Call 336-641-3836.
These are Guilford County results. High Point residents in Davidson, Randolph or Forsyth counties should check those counties’ results on the same state results site. Our property taxes page has the current city and county rates, and our voting page has the elections office’s contacts.
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