Governor Patrick Signs House and Senate Redistricting Bills

Governor Deval Patrick signed into law House and Senate redistricting bills on Thursday.

Gov. Patrick signed into law the following legislation:

• House Bill No. 3770, "An Act Relative to Establishing Representatives Districts in the General Court"
• Senate Bill No. 2045, "An Act Establishing Executive Councillor and Senatorial Districts."

Gov. Patrick was joined by Reps. Garballey, Poirier, Dorcena Forry, Keenan, Moran, Senator Wolf and Rep. Devers in his office for the bill signing.

"I join the many members of the public in congratulating Senate President Murray, Speaker DeLeo, Chairmen Rosenberg and Moran and the members of the Joint Special Committee on Redistricting for their fine work,” said Governor Patrick in a press statement. “These redistricting plans were crafted with an immense amount of public input and transparency, and they fittingly reflect our Commonwealth’s diversity. I am proud to sign them and prouder still that these new districts will give all voters an opportunity to have their voices heard.”

The new House map increases the number of districts in Massachusetts where minorities comprise a majority of voting age residents, from 10 to 20.

The new Senate map increases the minority-majority districts from two to three and establishes the first time in state history that lawmakers have been able to create a majority-minority Senate district in western Massachusetts.