The Town of Swampscott has announced six dates for residents to vote early ahead of the annual town election on April 30.
The first early voting opportunity will be on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting will continue from Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The final day to vote early will be Friday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All early voting will take place at Town Hall.
The schedule was originally proposed by Town Clerk Jared LaLiberte before being approved by the Select Board.
On election day, residents will be able to vote at Swampscott High School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline for eligible voters to register is Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. Registration can either be done in person at the town clerk’s office, by mailing the voter-registration form to the secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, or online through the secretary of the Commonwealth’s website.
Eight offices have at least one seat up for election in 2024. A town moderator will be elected for a one-year term. The Board of Health, Board of Assessors, and Public Library Trustees each have one seat open for a three-year term, while the School Committee and Select Board have two seats open for three-year terms. The Housing Authority and Planning Board each have one seat open for a five-year term.
Select Board member Peter Spellios recently proposed a Town Meeting warrant article that would change voting regulations in an effort to increase voter participation.
The article proposes lowering the minimum voting age from 18 to 16 and changing the town’s annual election date from a Tuesday to a consecutive Saturday and Sunday. The article will first be voted on by the Select Board, then if it passes it will be presented at Town Meeting. If the town approves it, the article would require approval by the state House, Senate, and Gov. Maura Healey. The proposed change could not take effect until 2025.
