Swampscott bracing for busy day at polls

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott voters should be prepared for lines at the polls this November, according to town officials.Swampscott Town Clerk Susan Duplin and Assistant Clerk Connie Hayes said they are expecting an unusually high voter turnout in the Nov. 4 election.”We are expecting the best but are prepared for the worst,” Duplin said. “Please be patient and considerate of others, expect long lines and possible delays at the polls on Election Day. Four years ago 81 percent came out and voted in Swampscott, however, this year they are predicting historic record numbers across the state. I think we will see high 80s to low 90 (percent) voter turnout in Swampscott.”Duplin said she is encouraging voters to educate themselves on the three ballot questions prior to going to the polls on election day to save time and help eliminate long lines.Duplin said the state gave her office informational booklets providing an in depth explanation of the three ballot questions, which are available in Town Hall. The ballot and ballot questions may also be viewed online at www.town.swampscott.ma.us.Duplin said the Clerk’s Office has received hundreds of new voter registrations bringing the total number of registered voters in Swampscott to 10,248 as of Monday morning.She said her office has received an unprecedented number of absentee ballot requests as well.”We’ve had approximately 800 absentee ballot requests,” Duplin said.Duplin said voters have until noon on Nov. 3 to apply for an absentee ballot and the ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 with the exception of overseas ballots, which by law have an additional 10 days to be returned to the Clerk’s Office provided they are postmarked no later than Nov. 4.Any resident, who is unsure of their voting status, should contact Duplin at 781-596-4167 or Hayes at 781-596-5588 prior to Election Day.Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day and Duplin said poll workers would have a list of registered voters to assist voters at the polling places. Residents in Precincts 1 and 2 should vote at the Clarke School. Precincts 3 and 4 vote at First Church of Swampscott Congregational and Precincts 5 and 6 at Swampscott Middle School.Duplin said election results would be posted in all three polling places, Town Hall and online at www.town.swampscott.ma.us.