Voters question Virginia’s direction and oppose sales tax exemption for data centers, new Commonwealth Poll finds

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Nearly half of registered voters in Virginia (47%) believe the commonwealth is headed in the wrong direction, and a significant majority (72%) oppose a sales tax exemption for data centers, according to the Summer 2026 Commonwealth Poll conducted by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. The statewide survey also finds that 47% of registered voters disapprove of Gov. Abigail Spanberger's job performance, while inflation and the cost of living continue to be cited as the commonwealth's top issue (30%).

Douglas Wilder, the 66th governor of Virginia and distinguished professor at the Wilder School, said the findings reflect broad public concern about Virginia's direction and the challenges facing families across the state.

"The findings of the latest Commonwealth Poll present a clear message from the people of Virginia," he said. "While public opinion may differ on individual issues, the results reflect broad concern about the direction of the commonwealth and the economic pressures confronting Virginia families."

On the issue of data centers, 72% of registered voters oppose granting sales tax exemptions as an incentive for their development, and 81% support requiring data centers to offset the demands they place on Virginia's electric infrastructure.

"Together, these findings show that the public expects economic growth to be balanced with fiscal responsibility and prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars," Wilder said.

He added that Spanberger's job approval ratings are significant - 44% approving and 47% disapproving of her performance - as it is uncommon for a new administration to receive such a negative public assessment so early in its tenure.

"These findings suggest that Virginians are paying attention to the issues that matter most in their daily lives," Wilder said. "The message from the people is unmistakable: Public trust is earned through leadership that listens, governance that delivers and results that improve the lives of all Virginians."

Among findings from the latest Commonwealth Poll:

Perceptions of Virginia

Nearly half of registered voters (47%) believe the commonwealth is headed in the wrong direction. Partisan differences are pronounced, with 80% of Republicans and 56% of independent voters saying Virginia is headed in the wrong direction, while 66% of Democrats say it is moving in the right direction.

Data centers in Virginia

Virginia has seen significant growth in data centers in recent years, and they were a major focus of this year's budget standoff between the House of Delegates and Senate. Prior to the poll, three-quarters of registered voters in Virginia (76%) said they had heard or read about data centers in the commonwealth.

About 8 in 10 registered voters (81%) support requiring data centers to pay additional fees to offset increased electricity demand associated with their operations. Support is high across political affiliations, with Democrats (88%) and independent voters (75%) more likely than Republicans (69%) to support the requirement.

A significant majority of registered voters (72%) oppose allowing data centers to receive a sales tax exemption as an incentive for locating in Virginia, including nearly half (49%) who strongly oppose the proposal. Opposition crosses party lines, with 73% of Democrats, 69% of Republicans and 61% of independent voters opposing the exemption.

Job performance of Spanberger

Registered voters are closely divided in their assessment of Gov. Abigail Spanberger's job performance, with 44% approving and 47% disapproving. Democrats largely approve of her performance (77%), while most Republicans (89%) disapprove. Half of independent voters (50%) also disapprove of Spanberger's job performance.

Important issues in the commonwealth

Inflation and the cost of living is cited most (30%) as the top issue facing the commonwealth, regardless of party affiliation. Other frequently cited issues include political extremism or threats to democracy (12%), housing affordability (11%), government spending and taxes (8%) and the quality of K-12 education (7%).

The findings are consistent with the Summer 2025 Commonwealth Poll, which also identified the cost of living as the top issue (28%).

Among Democrats, political extremism or threats to democracy (17%) and housing affordability (13%) rank as the second- and third-most important issues. Among Republicans, government spending and taxes (16%), followed by immigration (10%), rank second and third.

Paid sick leave requirement

Registered voters in Virginia overwhelmingly support requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees, with 64% strongly supporting and 18% somewhat supporting the requirement. Support spans party lines, although Democrats are the most likely to support the law (97%), compared with 76% of independent voters and 63% of Republicans.

Rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Virginia recently rejoined the RGGI, a multistate program that requires power plants to pay for carbon emissions. Nearly 6 in 10 registered voters in Virginia (58%) support the commonwealth's participation in the initiative, while one-third (33%) oppose it. Support is strongest among Democrats (83%), while a majority of independent voters (51%) also support participation. Republicans (65%) are more likely to oppose Virginia's participation.

College affordability

The average total cost of attending a four-year institution in Virginia is $28,640 a year. Most registered voters in Virginia (79%) believe that cost is too high, including 51% who say it is much too high. That compares with 70% of registered voters who expressed the same view in the Winter 2026 Commonwealth Poll. Just 17% believe the cost is about right.

When asked which policies would help make college more affordable, registered voters most often support expanding work-study opportunities (65%), increasing transfer pathways from community colleges (64%), increasing need-based financial aid and grants (62%), and investing more state funding in higher education (51%).

Democrats are most likely to support increasing need-based financial aid and grants (74%) and expanding work-study opportunities (72%). Republicans favor increasing transfer pathways from community colleges (61%) and expanding work-study opportunities (57%). Independent voters also identify increasing transfer pathways from community colleges (75%) and expanding work-study opportunities (63%) as their preferred options.

A majority of Virginians (54%) believe a four-year college degree provides a good return on investment only for certain fields or majors, while one-quarter (26%) believe it generally does not provide a strong return compared with skilled trades, apprenticeships or entering the workforce directly. Republicans (40%) are more likely than Democrats (19%) and independent voters (20%) to say a four-year degree generally does not provide a strong return on investment.