Voting in Swampscott

Municipal elections are held annually in Swampscott on the last Tuesday in April.

The polls are open in Swampscott on election day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for both town and state elections.

When you approach the check-in table, first tell the poll worker the name of street where you live, then the number of your residence and finally your name. As the voters list is arranged by street, this is the quickest way to receive your ballot and keep any lines moving. You also may be asked to show identification. 

In a primary election, voters who are registered in a political party only may obtain a ballot for that party. If you are an “unenrolled voter” (commonly referred to as an “independent voter”), you may request the ballot of any party participating in the primary election.

Once you receive a ballot, you cast your votes in the privacy of the voting booth. You may vote for the choices available on the ballot or, if you prefer, write-in the name of a candidate in the space provided on the ballot. If you mismark your ballot, you must return it to the poll worker to have it marked as “spoiled” so that you may receive a new ballot. If you are disabled and need assistance, you may be accompanied by someone who can provide the needed assistance or request a poll worker to provide you with confidential, nonpartisan help. Than you proceed to the ballot box to deposit your ballot.

If your name does not appear on the list of voters, the poll worker should contract the Elections Office to determine if you are registered in another precinct. If you are in another precinct than you may go to that precinct to cast your ballot. If you are not on the list, and believe you are registered than you may vote with a provisional ballot. You will than be asked to fill out a form and you will be assigned a ballot number, a provisional ballot allows you to vote and place your ballot into a provisional envelope with your ballot number on it. The office will than conduct a search thru the State Elections Office and if it is determined that you are in fact registered than an election official will vote your ballot, sometimes the search may take a hour or two, or days, we have up to 12 days after an election to research voter status.

Prohibited Activities

State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location.  Signs, stickers, and even lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. Political conversation, including a candidate greeting the voters and soliciting votes, is allowed within the restricted zone so long as there is no active interference or badgering, and no prohibited paraphernalia is displayed.