Fewer than $800 voters gave their approval Tuesday to more than $83 million in Lewiston and Auburn school spending.

In Lewiston, the $49.6 million budget was approved by a vote of 351-73. Auburn’s $34.1 million budget passed 252-52.

The low, low turnout – 2 percent in Auburn and 1.7 percent in Lewiston – averaged out to $114,000 of spending per vote.

“There were times when we went 20 or 30 minutes between voters,” said Kathy Montejo, Lewiston’s city clerk.

Leaders from both cities hoped for strong turnouts, scheduling their votes on the same day to monopolize on publicity. City Web sites touted the budgets, polling places and times. Fliers were sent to homes, either through children or through the mail. In Lewiston, voters received automated phone calls.

However, there was little controversy, despite tough budget seasons. Each school plan avoided raising the tax levy.

In Lewiston, the budget included more than $33.7 million in state funding. Most of the state’s $3.5 million increase in aid to the city’s schools will be directed to the new Geiger Elementary School, slated to open this fall.

Despite the low turnout, some people felt duty-bound to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain about it later,” said Barbara Benjamin-McManus, a teacher at Lewiston Middle School.

She supported the budget, particularly at a time when some school districts are being forced to cut teachers and other staff.

“You need to see this in context,” she said. “We’re having tough economic times. I think we’ve been pretty fortunate.”

In Auburn, the budget represents a spending drop of $9,304 that includes $39,317 less in local property taxes and a state revenue decline of more than $107,000. The budget also sits nearly $500,000 below the state’s school funding standard, known as Essential Programs and Services.

Further cuts were unacceptable to voter Celeste Daly of Auburn, who approved the budget.

“We just can’t be cutting any more,” she said.

George Hess of Auburn also supported the budget, citing the education his two son received.

“I realize we’re in a different economy, but the core education in these schools has always been good,” Hess said. “It shouldn’t change.”