LINCOLN — The quiet campaign for the town’s non-binding referendum on possible gambling expansion at Twin River will end tomorrow, with voters heading to the polls in an unusual weekend vote.

For an issue that often inflames local passions, the run-up to the actual balloting has been surprisingly low-key. There has been more debate on where the polling places were to be located and when the voting will be held than on the two questions themselves.

The anti-gambling effort has involved the planting of blue-on-white signs in some parts of town, particularly around the Twin River area. Twin River officials are sitting out the campaign. Twin River spokeswoman Patricia Doyle cited the non-binding nature of the vote and the short time frame — the date for a vote was set two months ago — which she said didn’t give the company enough time to present its case.

The author of the ballot questions, Town Council President Jeremiah T. O’Grady, said he didn’t think Twin River’s campaign abstinence would reduce the validity of the result.

“The main question before Lincoln voters on Saturday is essentially a concept question: do we endorse the concept of full-scale casino gambling in town or not,” he said.

Lincoln residents probably have made up their minds how they feel, he said, and the vote is intended to determine that sentiment.

“I think the debate is more likely to be private than public,” O’Grady said. “If we were debating a set of specific financial details, then I think there would be more of a debate.”

Dean L. Lees Jr., a former councilman whose district included Twin River, said he wonders whether anyone can have confidence in the results. The Board of Canvassers has approved 4 polling places instead of the 16 that open in a regular election, and some of them are new locations. He was specifically critical of the decision not to locate a polling place at the fire station next to Twin River and instead send those voters up Jenckes Hill Road to the new middle school.

“I have not heard one good thing about the whole process,” Lees said. But he added a high turnout could forgive those sins.

“You need more than 5,000 votes to have any validity,” he said. “That would be more than came out for the middle school bond.”

The two questions on the ballot are: “Do you support the expansion of gaming hours at Twin River (formerly known as Lincoln Park) from its current closing hours to 24 hours per day, seven days per week?” and “Do you support the expansion of gaming operations at Twin River (formerly known as Lincoln Park) to include full-scale casino gambling operations including, but not limited to, table games?”

O’Grady said he wanted the referendum held before the General Assembly convenes in January, out of fear that in a year of dwindling state revenues, the legislature might see expanding gambling in Lincoln as a financial fix. It could approve round-the-clock gambling or adding new types of gambling before the town had a chance to speak up.

“My concern is that the incremental process will continue unabated and without local input until a full-fledged casino is upon us,” O’Grady said when he introduced the questions.

He justified that concern by citing Massachusetts Governor Patrick’s proposal to open three resort casinos in Massachusetts, the Rhode Island Lottery Commission’s consideration of adding video blackjack games at Twin River and Lottery Commission Chairman William San Bento’s statement this summer that Twin River and Newport Grand would have to become casinos “eventually” in order to compete with the expected casinos in Massachusetts.

The town’s sensitivity to being left out of Twin River decisions was increased late last year when, while still named Lincoln Park, the facility announced it was extending its slot machine hours from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., without seeking town approval. The council was advised that state law did not give it a say in the decision.

Regardless of the result tomorrow, O’Grady said, it would enhance the town’s bargaining position should the state try to change operations at Twin River.

“If, in Saturday’s vote, the town endorses the concept of full-scale casino operations at Twin River, the message to Smith Hill is clear: Let’s make a deal,” he said. “If the town rejects this concept, however, the message is equally clear: Look elsewhere.”

The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The polling places are: the new middle school, at 152 Jenckes Hill Rd.; St. James Elementary School, at 57 Division St. in the Manville section; Lonsdale Elementary School, at 270 River Rd. in Lonsdale; and Saylesville Elementary School, at 50 Woodland St. in Saylesville.

jhill@projo.com