Town Of Arlington:

Press release from Town of Arlington:

09/07/2021

Every ten years all communities in the Commonwealth are required to review their population numbers after the Federal Census results are published and submit a new precinct map for approval by the State. The Select Board begins by reviewing a draft of the new boundaries created by the Secretary of State and proposing adjustments, if necessary. The Select Board votes to approve the final map and precinct descriptions and submits the final map by October 30, 2021. The draft maps prepared by the State require local input as the State’s mapping algorithm focuses only on population numbers. Community review of the boundary lines and underlying demographic data from the Federal Census is needed to adjust the boundaries so they respect natural neighborhoods and protect voting rights of minority groups. Residents are invited to provide feedback through a variety of channels to assist the Reprecincting Working Group (RWG) in preparing draft maps for review by the Select Board.

Arlington Town Clerk Juli Brazile has proposed that the Select Board reduce the number of precincts from 21 to 16 to allow more flexibility in the face of anticipated changes to election law, especially regarding early voting and vote by mail. The Clerk has prepared a fact sheet with information on the reprecincting process and guidance on how the public can be involved. The League of Women Voters of Arlington, Election Modernization Committee and Envision Arlington volunteers are planning a virtual forum to encourage discussion and facilitate feedback.

Timeline – dates and links will be updated throughout the month

• Through September 30: public comment on draft maps – Google Form
• September: Arlington receives 2020 Census data files and can refine maps based on actual population numbers
• September 13: Select Board hearing to discuss overall number of precincts (meeting details)
• September 22: Reprecincting Zoom Forum
• September 23: Opportunity to view paper maps at Town Hall
• September 27 : Select Board hearing
• October 30: Select Board submits final map to Secretary of State
• April 2022: Local elections based on new precinct boundaries

Precinct Map Alternatives

Below are five letter-sized maps for at home printing, public review and comment. Two of the maps were provided by the State, and are based exclusively on population projections. The Town draft maps have been drawn using additional information, including 2019 data on race and ethnicity, household income, and household tenure (whether a household rents or owns their home).  A final map shows the current precinct boundaries. These maps may be revised based on public comment and final release of 2020 Census data files.

• State Draft – 21 Precincts
• State Draft – 16 Precincts
• Town Draft – 21 Precincts
• Town Draft – 16 Precincts
• Current Precinct Map

These draft maps do not reflect local input or final population numbers.

How to Share Feedback

The Town is seeking feedback from the community on the proposed precinct boundary lines.  The goal of the reprecincting effort is to ensure fair representation in local elections. You can assist in this effort by sharing your thoughts about the following:

• Areas of town where adjusting a line will better reflect the community within a given precinct
• Precinct boundaries that may isolate a group of residents with potentially different local needs or concerns
• Provide input on the overall number of precincts to the Select Board

The RWG will aggregate community feedback into revised precinct map alternatives. All of the alternative maps  and  public comments will be shared with the Select Board to inform their decision.

Residents may submit feedback using any of the methods listed below.

Online:           Google Form
Email:             TownClerk@town.arlington.ma.us
Mail:               Town Clerk, 730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
Drop Box:      Town Hall drop boxes are located in front of the building or in the parking lot off Academy St.

Need More Information?

The fact sheet summarizes legal requirements and restrictions on the process. Watch the Reprecincting Overview video below for a summary of the process, draft maps, and how to share feedback. 

Learn more about the option to reduce the Town's overall number of precincts from 21 to 16 by hearing from Town Clerk, Juliana Brazile, about how local elections are run and how changes to the number of precincts would impact residents. 

The Reprecincting Working Group

Given the many resolutions passed by Town Meeting to celebrate past and present diversity in Arlington, as well as the Town’s ongoing initiatives to advance racial equity efforts, the Town has established a Reprecincting Working Group to move beyond basic population numbers and look closely at how precinct boundaries are drawn. The Reprecincting Working Group is comprised of the following Town staff:

• Juliana Brazile, Town Clerk
• Jillian Harvey, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Adam Kurowski, Director of GIS / Systems Analyst
• Kelly Lynema, Senior Planner, Department of Planning and Community Development

The Reprecincting Working Group has sought to bring more equity to the process, considering factors such race, ethnicity, age, income, homeownership, and equitable elections of Town Meeting Members when drafting proposed boundaries.

This press release was produced by Town of Arlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.