This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection.
Story by Sasha Fafel.
The Select Board unanimously approved the warrant for the September state primary during its meeting Tuesday night.
The September State Primary warrant is provided by the state’s Elections Divisions, where all select board members are required to sign it.
The September state primary will determine Massachusetts’ Democratic nominees for the November federal midterm election. Voters will also see nine ballot questions that were certified for the November ballot in late July by Secretary of State Bill Galvin.
“The November ballot is set to have nine questions. It will be a two to three page ballot,” said Town Clerk Kathleen Dupont.
Before the November election, the Select Board must sign a separate warrant that includes the ballot questions. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the questions will appear in the following order:
- Question 1: Expanding the Public Records Law
- Question 2: Collective Bargaining for CPCS Employees
- Question 3: State Primary Elections
- Question 4: Election Day Registration
- Question 5: State Revenue Limit & Rebate
- Question 6: Natural Resource Conservation Fund
- Question 7: Single Family Homes
- Question 8: Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana
- Question 9: Firearms Regulation
DuPont also presented a study of voting trends in Swampscott, noting that most residents continue to vote in person on Election Day rather than by mail.
According to Dupont, the Election Committee has expanded outreach efforts ahead of the election by increasing its social media presence and posting additional informational signs at Town Hall.
Voting hours for the September state primary and October’s early voting date will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“For state elections, the select board does not vote on election times, because it is mandated,” Dupont said. “They are given a set of guidelines according to population.”
