Letter to the Editor: Sen. Donnelly on Massachusetts Redistricting

A message from State Sen. Kenneth Donnelly, D-Arlington, on the redistricting process:

The Massachusetts Legislature approved new House and Senate district maps as part of the decennial redistricting process. The maps are the result of 13 public hearings where more than 400 Massachusetts citizens submitted testimony. Through the use of new technology and a desire to have an open process, thousands of residents submitted comments through the legislature’s website and during the public comment period. 

Under the proposed plan, 92 percent of Massachusetts residents will remain in their current state Senate districts, fewer counties and communities are split, and districts are more compact.  In the 4^th Middlesex District, Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly added wards 2 and 3 of Woburn to his district.  “I am looking forward to now serving the entire town of Woburn, and I welcome the new wards to the 4^th Middlesex District,” said Senator Donnelly.  “Overall, I am very impressed with the leaders of the redistricting effort.  They worked very hard to ensure that it was a fair, open, and transparent process, and did an excellent job soliciting the advice and opinions of Massachusetts residents.” 

Redistricting is a constitutionally required process that occurs every 10 years after the release of the US census data.  Population shifts occur over time and the redistricting committee is tasked with redrawing state political borders to ensure a more equal distribution of population between districts.  Over the past 10 years, the overall population deviation between districts increased to 18 percent. The new districts passed by the Senate are within plus or minus 5 percent of the ideal population for a Senate district, or 163,691 persons.  The 4^th Middlesex District will now have 163,691 constituents. 

The Committee was also charged with redrawing the Commonwealth’s congressional districts.  Due to the population shift, Massachusetts lost one congressional seat, bringing the total number to 9.  Currently, Billerica is located in the 5^th congressional district and is represented by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Burlington is located in the 6^th congressional district represented by Congressman John Tierney.  Lexington, Woburn, and Arlington are all in the 7^th congressional district and represented by Congressman Edward Markey.  Under the new plan, Burlington and Billerica will be in the new 6^th congressional district represented by Congressman John Tierney; Lexington, Arlington and Woburn will be in the 5^th district, represented by Congressman Markey. 

Once approved, the new districts would be effective for the November 2012 elections.

The maps are available on-line at:  http://www.malegislature.gov/District/ProposedDistrictMaps.