DELAND, Fla. — The results are in, and 55.3 percent of voters have voted against the Volusia County sales tax referendum.

Tuesday was the last day to get mail-in ballots turned in for Volusia County's sales tax referendum.

This election was about possibly increasing the sales tax in Volusia County to 8.5 percent.

Voters decided against increasing the sales tax by a half-cent to fund infrastructure projects, including roads, sidewalks, bridges, stormwater and flood control.

The sales tax surcharge would have lasted for 20 years if it was approved, and a citizens committee would be established to review how the money is used.

County voters took part in the first all-mail-in ballot election. Ballots were mailed out May 1 and were returned to the Supervisor of Elections office in DeLand by 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted.