Federal Census Leads to Reprecincting in Andover

The Town Clerk recently announced that the town of Andover will be “re-precincted” soon due to the release of new 2010 Census population numbers for Andover. The population of Andover since 2000, going from 31,247 to 33,201.

Town Clerk Lawrence Murphy said that the town will still have 9 voting precincts and lines will not change much.

“The lines should be pretty close to what they are today,” said Murphy at a recent selectmen’s meeting.

Variations in population numbers can change voting precincts and therefore can change state legislative districts. State senators and representatives will potentially see their districts shrink or grow depending on changes to local voting precincts across the state.

Murphy said that the office of the Massachusetts Secretary of State has sent over some new precinct maps and selectmen should be able to look them over this week.

The office of the Massachusetts Secretary of State is requiring a decision from communities on these new precinct maps by June 15.

It is still unclear whether or not Andover will see a change in legislative representation due to reprecincting throughout the state. Murphy said that this will be determined by fall of this year in time for the 2012 Presidential Primary.