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Swampscott to hold town election June 30 with COVID-19 changes
By David Mclellan | June 9, 2020
SWAMPSCOTT — Residents from all precincts will vote at the same place — unless they choose to take part in mail-only early voting — at the upcoming town election.
Indeed, Swampscott’s town election will be different this year. The change to a single location, as well as early-voting changes, have been made in order to reduce social gathering at polls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a legal notice Town Clerk Susan Duplin is mailing to residents, these are one-time changes.
The election will be held on Tuesday, June 30, at Swampscott High School, 200 Essex St. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In order to get an early-vote-by-mail-ballot application, visit www.swampscottma.gov. Click “Department: Town Clerk/Elections” then “2020 Municipal Early Ballot Application.” Print and complete the application, and scan/return via email, drop the application off at the 24-hour drop box at Town Hall, 22 Monument Ave., or mail the document. Applications may also be requested from Duplin at [email protected], or by calling (781) 596-4167.
Those who do vote at the high school on June 30 should wear a mask and bring their own blue- or black-ink pen. Pens will be provided for those who do not have them, and social distancing will be expected and enforced at the polling location.
Swampscott’s town election was originally scheduled for April 29, but was then pushed back to June 2, and now to June 30.
The decision to postpone the election a second time was made at the May 13 Select Board meeting. According to Select Board Chairman Peter Spellios, the changes were made due to the pandemic, and with guidance from the state and legal consultation. Early voting this year is “strongly encouraged,” he said.
The races for Select Board, School Committee, and Housing Authority are all contested this year. For Select Board, voters are asked to vote for two, with Neal Duffy, 44 Hampden St.; Stephen T. Williams, 10 Puritan Lane; and David M. Grishman, 55 Sampson Ave all appearing on the ballot.
None of the three Select Board candidates on the ballot are incumbent. As The Item previously reported, incumbents Naomi Dreeben and Laura Spathanas have chosen not to run for reelection.
For School Committee, voters are also asked to vote for two. Incumbent Suzanne Wright, 11 Hardy Road; and newcomers Keiko Zoll, 69 Nason Road; Greg D’Antona, 9 Belleair Drive; John N. Giantis, 61 Blaney St., will appear on the ballot.
For Housing Authority, two candidates, Dreeben, 6 Sheridan Terrace and Alan G. Ledbury, 17 Doherty Circle, are contesting one seat.
Other offices are not contested, including moderator, incumbent Michael McClung, 64 Fuller Ave.; Board of Assessors, incumbent Tasia Vasiliou, 16 Lewis Road; library trustee, incumbent Ellen Winkler, 15 Greenwood Terrace; Board of Health, incumbent Emily Cilley, 65 Thomas Road; and Planning Board, incumbent William Quinn, 60 Greenwood Ave.
Those who are not registered to vote in Swampscott must do so no later than Friday, June 19. To register to vote, update voter status, change party enrollment, visit www.sec.state.ma.us.