Proposed Congressional Maps Put Wayland Wholly in 5th District

On Monday, the Massachusetts Legislature's Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released its plans to reduce the state's congressional districts from 10 to nine as a result of 2010 Census results.

Under the proposed maps, Wayland, currently split between the 5th and 7th Congressional Districts, would fully join the 5th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Democrat Niki Tsongas. However, because Massachusetts is losing one Congressional district, the new maps not only shift the districts' borders, but also the district numbers. Tsongas would, under the new maps, represent the 3rd Congressional District, while Rep. Ed Markey's district, currently the 7th District, would shift to become the 5th District.

Therefore, Markey would serve as Wayland's representative in the 5th District. Tsongas would lose Wayland and most of Sudbury. Markey would pick up the portions of Wayland and Sudbury that Tsongas stands to lose.

Tsongas expressed her approval of the new maps in a statement sent Monday afternoon.

"Throughout this process, I advocated for the Fifth Congressional District to be preserved to the greatest extent possible given its shared history, communities of interest and geography," the statement reads. "The map released today maintains the core of this District and ensures that these cities and towns will remain a cohesive and integral part of the District."

Last week, approving the maps proposed for the state House and Senate districts. For details on the changes Wayland experienced under the new state maps, check out, ".

Editor's Note: The original article incorrectly stated that Markey would lose Wayland under the new maps. The story has been corrected and Patch apologizes for the error.