Having two questions on the ballot is not unusual — it gives voters a middle option and protects the town if the larger override falls short. But the mechanics matter. Here's what you need to know.
The most important thing to understand
Only one override takes effect — the highest dollar amount that receives a majority YES vote.
You cannot accidentally "double" the override by voting YES on both. If both questions pass, only the larger $2.5M override is enacted. Voting YES on both costs you nothing extra.
Sample ballot
How to vote — mark YES on both
Town of Southampton — May 19, 2026 Annual Town Election
✓
YES
NO
Question 1 — $1.9M Override
Shall the Town of Southampton be allowed to assess an additional $1,900,000 in real estate and personal property taxes…
Vote YES ✓ — this is the safety net
✓
YES
NO
Question 2 — $2.5M Override
Shall the Town of Southampton be allowed to assess an additional $2,500,000 in real estate and personal property taxes…
Vote YES ✓ — this is the full override
Sample Ballot
What the ballot looks like
Southampton's official ballot hasn't been released yet. This is a sample from Stoneham, MA — a town that faced a similar two-question tiered override in December 2025. Notice the instructions: "If more than one question passes, the question with the highest dollar amount will prevail." Southampton's ballot will follow the same principle.
Sample ballot from Stoneham, MA — Early/Absentee Ballot, December 9, 2025. Southampton's ballot language will differ but the override mechanics are the same.
What if…
Every possible outcome
YES on $2.5MYES on $1.9M
$2.5M override enacted ✓ Best outcome
Both questions pass, but only the larger $2.5M takes effect. Full services maintained, Norris restored. This is what we're voting for.
YES on $2.5MNO on $1.9M
$2.5M override enacted — but a risky way to get there
You'd get the same outcome as voting YES on both, but if the $2.5M question falls short, you've left the town with nothing. No reason to skip the $1.9M vote.
NO on $2.5MYES on $1.9M
$1.9M override enacted — partial outcome
The $1.9M passes but the $2.5M fails. Some cuts still required, but major departments are partially protected. Much better than nothing.
NO on $2.5MNO on $1.9M
No override — severe cuts across all departments
Both questions fail. The base budget takes effect: library near-closed, significant Norris layoffs, EMS positions eliminated, capital fund gone. Deep cuts with no path to restore them.
Common questions
FAQ about the two-question ballot
No. The overrides are not additive. Only one takes effect — the highest dollar amount that receives a majority YES vote. If both pass, only the $2.5M override is enacted. Your total tax impact is based on one override, not both.
Two questions give voters a middle option and protect the town from an all-or-nothing result. If the $2.5M question narrowly fails but the $1.9M passes, Southampton can still partially fund services rather than face the full base budget cuts. It's a safeguard built into the process.
We strongly recommend voting YES on both even if your preference is the $2.5M override. If the $2.5M question falls short and you skipped Question 1, the town ends up with nothing. Voting YES on the $1.9M question costs you nothing extra — it only activates if the larger override fails.
Question 1 is the $1.9M override. Question 2 is the $2.5M override. Vote YES on both — work your way down the ballot marking YES on each one.
Yes. A Proposition 2½ override permanently raises the property tax levy limit. Future years still only grow by 2.5% per year from the new higher base. The town cannot reduce services and then keep the higher levy — future selectboards are accountable to voters for how the funds are spent.
The ballot vote is May 19, 2026 from 12:00–8:00 PM at Southampton Town Hall. Town Meeting is May 2 at 10:00 AM at Norris School — this is where override questions are discussed before the ballot vote. The voter registration deadline is May 9, 2026.
Vote YES, YES on May 19
Two questions. Two YES votes. Only one override will take effect — and it will be the best one that passes.
