Cyr: State legislative redistricting non-controversial

According to the 2020 Census, the population of Massachusetts increased to more than 7 million people in the last decade. As a result, state legislative districts have been adjusted, and the altering of congressional district boundaries are being discussed and debated.

The House passed the maps for new state legislative districts by a vote of 158-1 and the Senate by a vote of 36-3, and Gov. Charlie Baker signed the new redistricting plan into law without hesitation.

Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, called the redistricting changes on the Cape and Islands non-controversial.

The 4th Barnstable District, represented by state Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, has moved east with the population change. Brewster’s Precinct 3 used to be in Peake’s district, but has been added to state Rep. Timothy Whelan’s, R-Brewster, 1st Barnstable District.

“Brewster is now fully in the 1st District and Barnstable will have two state representatives, not three,” Cyr said. “Those all follow good redistricting principles. Because of the population shift, we're uniting a few more towns.”

Previously: Mass population surge points to 'significant' voting district changes

State Sen. Susan Moran, D-Falmouth, gained Plympton, in Plymouth County, and Mashpee as part of her adjusted senatorial district. Moran now represents four towns on the Cape including Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and Mashpee.

In an email, Moran cited her long history of working with the town of Mashpee on inter-municipal issues such as water quality in Waquoit Bay, the Childs River restoration and other issues.

"I anticipate even more successful initiatives from the opportunities to coordinate between the towns I will represent, and I look forward to working even more productively with the municipal authorities, organizations, and residents in Mashpee," she wrote.

2020 Census results: Cape and Islands population grew in number and diversity

Cyr continues to represent Dukes and Nantucket counties, and half of Barnstable County. The census showed Nantucket with a 44% increase in population.

Moran and Cyr voted in favor of the redistricting maps.

While Cyr said the redistricting wasn’t contentious from a Cape Cod perspective, change is coming. Whelan has chosen not to run for reelection in 2022, and says he will run for Barnstable County sheriff, which will leave his seat open.

The more contentious issues have to do with the redrawing of congressional district maps, Cyr said. He is opposed to the proposed plan that would put all of Fall River into the 4th Congressional District, with Needham, Newton, Attleboro and Rehoboth.

Fall River is currently split between the 4th and 9th districts.

Cyr believes Fall River should be wholly in the 9th Congressional District, which includes Cape Cod and the Islands and the South Shore, and is currently represented by U.S Rep. William Keating, D-Massachusetts.

"Making the 9th Congressional District a coastal district is worth consideration,” Cyr said.

He cited the communities of interest, with large populations of Cape Verdeans in Fall River, New Bedford, Mashpee and Harwich, and significant populations of Azorean and mainland Portuguese across the region.

“I think it's helpful to have an advocate making sure they are representing an entire region,” Cyr said. “A member of Congress that represents all of the coastal communities can dedicate time and staff to this critical community and make sure all the communities benefit from an offshore wind boom. These communities will all have to deal with the blue economy, sea level rise and changing boundaries.”

The Congressional and Governor's Council maps still need to be approved by lawmakers.

The Governor's Council is an elected body that confirms judicial nominees. It has eight members from districts across the state. Joseph C. Ferreira from Swansea represents the 1st Councilor district, which includes Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties.

Contact Denise Coffey at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mass legislative redistricting hasn't been controversial Sen. Cyr says