Swampscott absentee ballots available

SWAMPSCOTT – Absentee ballots for the Sept. 14 State Primary election are available in the Swampscott Town Clerk’s Office.Town Clerk Susan Duplin said voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot if they will be out of town on Election Day, have a physical disability that prevents them from voting at a polling place or for religious reasons.Residents can vote in Town Hall or request a ballot be mailed to them. Applications for absentee ballots may be downloaded at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is at noon on Sept. 13. Absentee ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 in order to be counted.Anyone wishing to vote in the upcoming state primary election must register to vote by Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. In order to qualify to register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a state resident and turn 18 years old on or before election day.Registration forms are available in person, by mail or at www.eac.gov/voter/Registration%20to%20Vote.Duplin said voter inactivation/confirmation postcard notices were mailed out in June to every registered voter in town who did not respond to the 2010 Census. She said voters must return the notices to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Aug. 25 in order to be eligible to vote in September and November elections. She added state election laws require all inactive voters to show identification and complete a proof of residency affidavit before obtaining a ballot.Any resident needing additional information or who is unsure of their voter status should contact Duplin at 781-596-8855.