Redistricting Shuffles Four House Precincts in JP

The Massachusetts Legislature released its redistricting plan Tuesday, and here are the changes in Jamaica Plain, as provided by the office of Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, who represents JP:

• The proposed changes on the Senate side would have no impact on JP.
• In the House, the 11th Suffolk seat, held by Rep. Liz Malia, would gain four precincts: Precinct 6 in Ward 11 and Precincts 9, 11 and 13 in Ward 19.
• By the same token, Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez of the 15th Suffolk would lose two precincts in JP: Precinct 6 in Ward 11 and Precinct 9 in Ward 19
• Similarly, Rep. Russell Holmes in the Sixth Suffolk would lose two precincts in JP: Precincts 11 and 13 in Ward 19.
• Below is a table showing the changes on the House side:

Residents have one week to examine the proposed changes and make comment on them. Use this link to contact the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting. The legislature and governor must then approve the changes.

Chang-Díaz, vice-chair of that committee, praised the process the committee used and said the proposed districts are clear progress for the state.

"In terms of outcomes, while there may be more refining to do, these maps make a very strong recognition of the high growth in our populations of color over the past decade," she said in a statement. "They increase our majority-minority districts in the state by 50 percent in the Senate and 100 percent in the House.  That’s progress you can sink your teeth into.”

Attached to this article are the current and proposed maps for the JP area.

If you don't know what ward and precinct you are in, you can use this tool on the city's web site to find out.