Town Of Dedham: 2020 Census Data Results In Dedham Voting Precinct Changes

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

10/08/2021 11:58 AM

The Select Board voted on Thursday, October 7, 2021 to approve the updated Voting Precinct Map (shown below, click to enlarge), provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The updated map was created using the official 2020, federal census data, released by the United States Census Bureau.

What is reprecincting?

Reprecincting is the drawing of new, local district lines. The voting precincts in Dedham are drawn based on population and represent equal numbers of residents. The total population is different from the total number of registered voters, and is based on the most recent federal census (2020 US Census). In addition, the voting precincts form congressional districts, state senator districts, and state representative districts.

How often is reprecincting done?

The process of reprecincting is done every ten years, after each federal census.

Why does Dedham have to go through the reprecincting process?

Massachusetts State Law requires that each city and town review the population data collected through the federal census every ten years and provide a final, updated map to the State. The goal when reviewing and updating the voting precincts is to ensure an equal representation of population across the community.

What are the requirements for drawing the precinct lines?

Each voting precinct in Dedham must meet the following requirements (as stated by Massachusetts Law):

• Precincts must be “composed of compact and contiguous territory” without protruding fingers or long tails to the extent possible
• Precincts must be bounded by the center line of streets or other well defined boundaries such as streams or other bodies of water, railroad tracks, power lines or other clearly visible geographic figures.
• No precinct may contain more than 4,000 residents
• Precinct populations must be within five percent (5%) of the average precinct population
• New precinct boundaries cannot result in the dilution of minority group members' votes

What happens next?

Following a vote by the Select Board to approve the updated voting precinct map, the Town Clerk's Office will submit the new map and required paperwork to the Local Election Districts Review Commission (LEDRC). The LEDRC, comprised of the Attorney General, State Secretary (or designee), and a third member appointed by the Governor, will then review the information and vote to approve or send back to the town with questions or requirements to redraw the precinct boundaries. Following approval by the LEDRC, the Town of Dedham will publish the new map around Town within each precinct, and copies of the new map will be sent to local elected officials, including the Board of Assessors. The Town Clerk's Office will also mail a letter to each registered voter who has been reassigned to a new voting precinct and polling location as a result of this reprecincting exercise.

The Town Clerk's Office in Dedham will also have the final, updated voting precinct information on the Elections & Voting page on the Town website. (Coming soon)

When will the new voting precincts to go into effect?

The new voting precinct map will take effect on December 31, 2021, following approval by the Select Board and the LEDRC.

How can I view the proposed precinct changes?

Below is a map to show the current voting precinct boundaries (in green) and the update voter precinct boundaries (in red):

Click to Enlarge

Will my polling location change?

It is possible your polling location may change. Each registered voter in Dedham will be notified by the Town Clerk's Office of a change in their polling location and precinct. The total number of voting precincts will not change with the updated precinct boundaries.

Will changes to the precinct boundaries in Dedham have an impact on Town Meeting?

The changes to the precinct boundaries will not have an impact on Town Meeting or the number of Town Meeting members here in Dedham. 

Does reprecincting have an impact on school districting?

No, the precinct boundary updates only apply to the voter precincts.

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.