Election Day in Swampscott: A Vibrant Turnout and Contentious Measures
By Ryan Abazari
Election day was in full swing at Swampscott High School on Tuesday, with voters streaming in and out of the only polling place in town, fulfilling their civic duty.
"It’s great. We have people constantly coming in here, and it’s very encouraging," said Town Clerk Katie Dupont.
Voters faced a packed ballot, spanning three pages, with choices for key government offices and ten different measures. These ranged from public records law and unionizing rights to housing and gun control.
The Swampscott Tides spoke to 12 voters leaving the polling place, uncovering a common thread: their focus on two ballot measures: Question No. 7, concerning zoning for single-family homes, and Question No. 8, on potentially repealing legal marijuana sales across the Commonwealth.
Housing Concerns and Zoning
Chabely Maldonado, a North Shore Community College student, expressed her concern about housing, stating, "That’s really important for someone like me that wants to own a home one day."
Question No. 7 proposes a new statewide minimum of 5,000 square feet for the construction of single-family homes, replacing the varying local standards. While Michel Cavicchio voted in favor, she had reservations, "I’m on the fence about the lot size... I don’t want these huge houses being built."
Marijuana Repeal: A Contentious Issue
The potential repeal of recreational marijuana sales was a hot topic. Larry Levine found it "ridiculous" and his wife Bonnie agreed, "surprised". They pointed to substantial out-of-state funding from SAM: Action Inc., a Virginia-based nonprofit backing the proposition.
Question No. 8, if passed, would allocate nearly $6.5 million to the future of cannabis in Massachusetts, the highest spending potential on the ballot. Maldonado, who voted against it, highlighted the economic consequences, "So many jobs can be lost." The ballot also notes that repealing sales would result in significant revenue losses for the state and locales.
High Turnout and Civic Engagement
Despite the contentious issues, Town Clerk Dupont was heartened by the turnout, "I’m encouraged by the enthusiasm for voting." She aims to foster this engagement in younger generations through a "dog tag" election initiative, allowing kids to design dog license tags, symbolizing their right to vote when they come of age.
Polls close at 8 p.m., marking the end of a vibrant election day in Swampscott.