Mass. House, Senate Approve New District Maps

Redistricting plans for the state Senate and House of Representatives have been overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers on Beacon Hill.

The Senate voted 36-0 Tuesday in favor of the proposed new map for the chamber while representatives were approving new districts for the House on a vote of 151-3.

The two branches then voted to sign off on each other's maps, which still require the signature of Gov. Deval Patrick.

The plans are designed in part to increase the political clout of blacks, Latinos and Asian-Americans.

The maps double the number of House districts where minority voters would be in the majority, and increase from two to three the number of minority-majority Senate districts.

The changes reflect population and demographic changes in the 2010 U.S. Census.