Campaign eyes Mass. redistricting, minority voting

Campaign eyes Mass. redistricting, minority voting

By Associated Press  |   Monday, March 28, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Politics

BOSTON — A coalition of advocates has launched a campaign to strengthen the voting power of Massachusetts’ Latinos, blacks and Asian Americans during redistricting efforts.

The "Drawing Democracy Project" will urge residents to attend statewide hearing dates on redistricting and put pressure on state officials as they redraw voting district lines.

Common Cause, MassVote and Oiste (oh-EE’-steh) — a group that trains Latinos to run for office — are part of the campaign.

Minority advocates have complained that previous redistricting plans packed minority groups together and weakened their voting potential.

The project comes after census data showed significant population increases among blacks, Latinos and Asian-Americans in Massachusetts.

A 24-member panel is redrawing the state’s congressional districts to reflect the loss of one seat in the U.S. House due to population shifts.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1326623