Your Guide to Lexington's 2024 Town Elections
You might have been hearing a lot about the presidential elections later this year, but here’s your reminder that our very own town elections are coming up in March! Local elections might not grab headlines and make the front page like national ones do, but they directly impact your day-to-day life. Your vote will influence school policies, community norms, and leaders that shape Lexington and elevate issues to a state and national level. Furthermore, turnout for local elections, especially youth turnout, is notoriously poor (fewer than 10%). So even though your vote always matters, it’s even more important in an election this small. Ready to make your voice heard? Here’s all the information you need to be an informed voter.
Voting Logistics:
Without registering to vote, you cannot participate in the elections—even if you are an eligible voter. At this link, you can register to vote, check if you’re registered, and update your information (like your name, address, or party). You can also register to vote in-person at our clerk's office. Though you can’t vote till you’re 18, you can pre-register once you turn 16. The last day to register to vote in this election is Saturday, February 24 at 5:00 PM (in MA, the deadline to register to vote, update your registration, or change your party is 10 days before any election or town meeting.)
Election day is Tuesday, March 5. Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm, and you can find your precinct and a mock ballot here. March 5th’s elections also include the presidential primary, in which candidates are selected from each party to run in the general election, and in Massachusetts, voters registered in a political party may only obtain a ballot for that party. Unenrolled or independent voters can request the ballot of any party participating in the primary election.
Early voting will be from February 24th to March 1st and will take place in Cary Hall. You can find the full early voting schedule here. Any voter can participate in early voting.
For mail-in voting, the Secretary of State will be sending notifications to every registered voter to allow them the chance to vote by mail for the 2024 elections (here’s a guide for filling in your postcard). You can also print the application and return it to the Clerk’s office. Be sure to sign the bottom of the application before submitting it to the Clerk’s office. If you choose to vote by Mail, all ballots must be returned by 8PM on election night.
Finally, to qualify for an absentee ballot, you must satisfy at least one of the following conditions: be away from your city/town on Election Day, have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place, or have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day. To request an absentee ballot, fill out and sign the Absentee Ballot Request Form and submit through mail, email, or fax to the Clerk’s office (typed signatures are not accepted). Ballots must be requested at least four business days before election day, and a member of your family may also make a request on your behalf.
More information on voting can be found on the Clerk’s website.
Open Seats:
One Select Board member — 3 year term
Candidates are Jill I. Hai (incumbent) and Cindy Arens.
One Moderator — 1 year term
Candidate is Deborah J. Brown (incumbent).
Two School Committee members — 3 year term
Candidates are Deepika Sawhney (incumbent), Kathleen M. Lenihan (incumbent), Johan Lindborg, and Vincent L. Alessi.
Two Planning Board members — 3 year term
Candidates are Melanie A. Thompson (incumbent), Michael J. Schanbacher (incumbent), Lin D. Jensen, and Tina M. McBride.
One Lexington Housing Authority member — 5 year term
Candidate is Melinda M. Walker (incumbent).
Some Town Meeting members from each precinct.
Candidates can be found here.
Sources/More information:
Elections & Voting | Lexington, MA
Precincts & Voting Locations | Lexington, MA
Voter Registration in Massachusetts | Vote.gov
by ATREYI BASU