Lexington voters to cast ballots in two elections on March 6

By Brock Parker, Town Correspondent

Lexington voters will head to the polls for two different elections on March 6, with separate ballots to be cast for the town election and the presidential primary.

Town Clerk Donna Hooper said voters wishing to vote in both elections will have to check in for each to get separate ballots. Voters who check in for both elections will take the ballots to a booth at the same time to make their selections, and then cast each ballot, Hooper said.

For the presidential primary, voters must cast their ballot for the party in which they are registered, Hooper said.

The last time Lexington held two elections on the same day was in 2004 for the town election and the presidential primary, Hooper said.

Most of the voters cast ballots in both elections, but not all, she said. Turnout for the town election in 2004 was about 50 percent, while the voter turnout for the presidential primary was about 46 percent.

“It went well in ’04,” Hooper said. “It was pretty much a win, win for everybody I think.”

Hooper said the cost of holding an election in Lexington averages about $25,000. By holding two at the same time, the town is able to save about two-thirds of the cost of the second election. The town hires more poll workers for a dual election, but they only work one day instead of two. The town also saves on police detail costs, and the cost of setting up and breaking down polling places.

Hooper said voters also only have to make one visit to the polls instead of two, and the disruption at places that host the polling places is reduced.

This year, there are no contested races for the Lexington Board of Selectmen or the School Committee. Other offices, such as a number of Town Meeting seats, will be contested, Hooper said.

The League of Women Voters of Lexington will be offering free rides to the polls on March 6. Anyone who needs a ride can call the League at 781-862-6498.