The Boston
City Council Committee on Redistricting is currently undergoing the
decennial process of reviewing and redrawing the 9 City Council district
boundaries according to 2020 Census redistricting data. New district boundaries
will be in effect for the 2023-2031 municipal elections until redrawn in 2032
following the 2030 Census. Community engagement and public participation are
essential to a redistricting process that strengthens our local democracy and
is reflective of the communities that officials are elected to represent.
The
Committee will hold a public hearing on:
Thursday, September 29, 2022
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
City Council's Iannella Chamber, 5th
floor of Boston City Hall
There will be options to participate in-person or virtually, as well as to
submit comments separate from the hearing. To get zoom link or to offer written comments in advance, contact shane.pac@boston.gov
Below is a message fom Councilor Breadon:
As
Chair of the Committee on Redistricting, I want to emphasize that the
Committee does not have a proposed map at this time, and this hearing is
dedicated to discussing community priorities, values, and guidelines (see Docket #1098, Order for
the adoption of City Council redistricting principles). Public testimony
received will inform the drafting of a proposed district plan, which will then
be followed by an extensive public comment and review period prior to final
passage.
Due
to the short time frame and the importance of engaging residents across every
neighborhood of Boston, I respectfully request your assistance to disseminate
information on Thursday's upcoming hearing to members of your organization,
community, and neighbors.
Further
information on the redistricting process is available attached, below, and
at boston.gov/redistricting. Also,
since some voting precincts were adjusted, added, or renumbered this year, when
giving public testimony about a specific neighborhood, it may be helpful to know your
2022 ward and precinct number at boston.gov/my-neighborhood
or wheredoivotema.com.
The
criteria and additional common considerations for drawing districts
include:
· Compliance with the Voting Rights Act
· Racial and language minority protections and
voting strength
· Equal population across districts ("One
Person, One Vote")
· Review of demographic data by race, ethnicity,
and voting age
· Compact districts with contiguous boundaries
· Preservation of neighborhoods and communities
of interest
· Analysis of population change and projected
growth
· Encouraging competitive districts
Please
do not hesitate to contact my office should you have any questions regarding
the redistricting process. I appreciate any assistance toward ensuring that all
of our communities' voices are engaged in this process.
Respectfully,
Liz Breadon
Chair, Committee on Redistricting
Boston City Councilor
District 9 - Allston/Brighton
One City Hall Square, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02201
Liz.Breadon@boston.gov | 617-635-3113
boston.gov/redistricting
