Arlington Select Board Will Weigh 2 Reprecincting Maps

ARLINGTON, MA — The Select Board will vote Nov. 22 to approve one of two reprecincting maps for Arlington.

Ahead of the vote, the Board is seeking feedback on the maps, one of which only makes necessary changes to re-balance the population and another that redraws several precincts in anticipation of future growth and provides opportunity for increased diversity in Town Meeting.

The latter is the recommended map, according to the town.

Communities in Massachusetts re-examine precinct boundaries every 10 years based on new census data. Town Clerk Juli Brazile had proposed reducing the number of precincts to 16 to allow more flexibility in the face of anticipated changes to election law, especially regarding early voting and vote by mail, but the Select Board voted last month to keep 21 precincts.

The aim is to create new precincts that group similar census blocks to build precincts that have a singular identity. Some precincts will be mostly single-family homes with higher median household incomes and lower density, while others will consist of apartment buildings, multifamily and lower-income homes, according to the town.

By grouping specific demographics together, the idea is those neighborhoods will be more likely to elect Town Meeting members who represent their interests.

See below for links to the proposed maps:

• Limited change map
• Recommended map
• Interactive map

How to Submit Feedback

• Online: Google Form
• Email: TownClerk@town.arlington.ma.us
• Mail: Town Clerk, 730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
• Drop Box: Town Hall drop boxes are located in front of the building or in the parking lot off Academy St.