Redistricting: Plan aims to make aldermanic districts similar in size

Some Wauwatosa residents may find themselves represented by different aldermen or heading to a new site to vote next year as the city adjusts boundaries to compensate for population shifts identified in the 2010 U.S. Census.

The Redistricting Committee has posted maps showing existing and proposed boundary changes on the city's website and the public can provide comment at 7 p.m. June 23 at City Hall, City Clerk Carla Ledesma said.

"The populations of the existing aldermanic districts range from a low of 5,425 residents (District 1) to a high of 6,283 residents (District 4)," according to a letter she wrote to Common Council members. "The proposed changes to aldermanic district boundaries were made with the goal of creating aldermanic districts as close in population as possible to 5,799.50 persons."

No Common Council members will be redistricted due to the adjustments as their homes still remain within the specific aldermanic districts' borders, Ledesma said.

Some of the changes come in an effort to straighten out boundary lines, but typically adjustments are meant to balance out existing populations or plan for future growth.

"Some voters will be voting at different locations than in the past. All affected electors will be notified of any changes once the new boundaries are adopted," she said.

There are no changes to boundaries in District 5. Shifts between voting wards within the same aldermanic district boundaries are expected for Districts 6 and 8.

Voters in Districts 1, 2 and 4 who live in the area near Wauwatosa Avenue and St. Charles Street will likely see changes. In District 7 in the area Burleigh, Chambers and 124th streets, a change is needed to accommodate the proposed Milwaukee County supervisory district lines and to balance population among voting wards. In Districts 3 and 4, there will be some adjustments in the neighborhood between Wisconsin Avenue and Blue Mound Road and Glenview and Wauwatosa avenues.