House lawmakers draw new maps to boost reps of color
New House district maps would make it easier for candidates of color to win seats in majority-minority cities like Worcester, Lawrence, Brockton and Chelsea over the next decade, map drawers said.
“The population counts for the 2020 Census are reflected in the diversity of our districts in these final maps,” said Assistant Majority Leader Michael Moran, a Boston Democrat who led the redistricting process for the second straight cycle, who said the new map reflects observed demographic shifts.
The House voted 158-1 in favor of the new district maps.
Georgetown Republican Rep. Lenny Mirra, whose district would be significantly altered, cast the lone no vote.
The Census revealed Massachusetts’ population surpassed 7 million and saw the number of white residents shrink 7 percentage points while the Black population grew nearly 17 points, the Asian population jumped 45% and the Hispanic population increased by 41%.
Brockton, despite having a majority of nonwhite residents, has never been represented by a person of color.
Lawmakers shifted boundaries and moved incumbent Rep. Gerard Cassidy to a neighboring district to create a vacancy that a person of color would be more likely to win.
The move would pit Cassidy against Easton Rep. Claire Cronin in the 2022 election, except Cronin is up for confirmation to become President Biden’s next ambassador to Ireland.
The increase in so-called majority-minority seats surpassed what advocates had even proposed. Those voting rights groups united during the process to form the Drawing Democracy Coalition, and Moran said he tried to not only listen but incorporate their suggestions.
“Mike Moran left no stone unturned,” said Beth Huang, executive director of the Massachusetts Voter Table and a member of the coalition.
The “ideal” district size in the House is now 43,937, up 3,014 people from 10 years ago, and no district deviates more than 5% in size.
Gov. Charlie Baker has not yet commented about the House and Senate maps, drafts of which were released last week. The governor’s office said Thursday it would review the House map once it reaches the governor’s desk.
While the Senate will also have to approve the House reconfiguration, tradition dictates they will not interfere with their sister chamber’s maps.
The Senate on Thursday mapped its timeline for considering its new district boundaries. The Redistricting Committee’s proposed maps will be up for discussion next Wednesday. Amendments are due by 1 p.m. on Monday.