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State Senate approves redistricting plan
CONCORD – Down party lines, 19-4, the Senate Wednesday approved a plan to redraw the boundaries of the 24 Senate districts.
Under the plan six districts would not change, but 18 will, some significantly.
The Senate made some last minute changes to the plan to accommodate issues raised by residents of Holderness, Shelburne and Barnstead. The changes switched eight towns affecting six districts mostly from the White Mountains south to the Concord area.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, said the district boundaries have to be redrawn every 10 years to conform to the Census figures and the constitution’s one man one vote provision.
The plan is well within the 10 percent guidelines for deviation, Bradley told the Senate.
Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond, voiced his concern about the plan saying he would lose five communities, two of which he has represented for 20 years.
“I’ve gone to weddings. I’ve gone to funerals, to Memorial Day parades and to high school graduations in these communities,” Barnes said. “I’m losing family.”
Barnes said he was mad about the changes, but would support the plan.
Under the plan, districts 14, 16,18,19, 20 and 22 would not change.
The ideal Senate district would have 54,853 people.
The five Democrats present voted against the plan. Senate Minority Leader Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, said there had been little opportunity for public comment on the proposal and that 99.99 percent of the state didn’t know anything about it.
Under the plan six districts would not change, but 18 will, some significantly.
The Senate made some last minute changes to the plan to accommodate issues raised by residents of Holderness, Shelburne and Barnstead. The changes switched eight towns affecting six districts mostly from the White Mountains south to the Concord area.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, said the district boundaries have to be redrawn every 10 years to conform to the Census figures and the constitution’s one man one vote provision.
The plan is well within the 10 percent guidelines for deviation, Bradley told the Senate.
Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond, voiced his concern about the plan saying he would lose five communities, two of which he has represented for 20 years.
“I’ve gone to weddings. I’ve gone to funerals, to Memorial Day parades and to high school graduations in these communities,” Barnes said. “I’m losing family.”
Barnes said he was mad about the changes, but would support the plan.
Under the plan, districts 14, 16,18,19, 20 and 22 would not change.
The ideal Senate district would have 54,853 people.
The five Democrats present voted against the plan. Senate Minority Leader Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, said there had been little opportunity for public comment on the proposal and that 99.99 percent of the state didn’t know anything about it.