The next time you vote you may find you are in a different voting district. The Hooksett Supervisors of the Checklist have just completed their required redistricting based on population growth in the town. The goal of redistricting is to maintain balanced populations in Hooksett’s six districts.

Significant changes occurred in Districts 4, 5 and 6. Those in the east end of town along Whitehall Road who were in District 5 are now in District 1. Those in the south along 28 Bypass who were once in District 6 are now in District 5. And those who live near the Exit 9 interchange who were once in District 4 are now in District 6.

The shifting districts also impacted the councilors themselves. Three council members, Todd Lizotte of District 1, John Danforth of District 2 and Michael Downer of District 5 find themselves living outside the districts they were elected to. They will be allowed to complete their terms representing their original district. However John Danforth resigned before redistricting took place. His council seat will be filled by election.

Each district contains an average of 2,239 people. The largest is District 6, located near Exit 9 of I-93, with 2,323. The smallest, near Head’s Pond on the north end of town, with 2,066. By the district map’s figures, Hooksett’s population stands at 13,431. That’s a 1,710 increase in the town population, up 14.6 percent from the 2000 census.

The town had until two years after publication of the 2010 U.S. Census to complete the process. Since census data for 2010 was published in March of 2011, the Hooksett Supervisors of the Checklist had until the end of the month to complete the process. Mike Horne, chairman, Sally Humphries and Bob Ehlers drew up the new district boundaries. A public hearing was held on April 23, 2012, for public input but no Hooksett voters attended.

If you want to check what district you are in now, go to the town website and following the “Elections & Voting information” link at the bottom. At the bottom of that page you’ll find links to the newly redrawn voting districts map, as well as a link to a voting districts list by street names.
For further information, call the town clerk’s office at 485-9534.