Former House Speaker George Keverian, a Democrat, has signed on to help the Massachusetts Republican Party with its 2011 redistricting efforts.

Dan Winslow, who worked as former Gov. Mitt Romney's chief legal counsel and is leading the Republican redistricting effort, told PolitickerMA.com that he met with Keverian earlier this week and Keverian agreed to help.

"Speaker Keverian is a walking encyclopedia of historical communities of interest in Massachusetts, which is a key ingredient in redistricting," Winslow said. "We reached out and we are thrilled that he is willing to consult with the GOP effort to have fair and competitive redistricting."

Winslow, currently an attorney with Duane Morris LLP, also met with state Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield) and House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) this week about redistricting.

Redistricting of the state legislative districts and congressional districts will take place in 2011 based on the 2010 census. Following that census, the Massachusetts GOP plans to propose maps of how to redistrict the state.

"The right to vote is the most fundamental right of a free society," Winslow said in a statement when the party announced he was leading the effort.

"Without fair elections, the power of the people in Massachusetts to fight for reform will continue to elude our grasp...We will work to ensure fair legislative and congressional districts, where votes are equally valued and candidates can compete without the burdens of prejudice or backroom politics."