Prestonpans would be removed from the Scottish Parliament's East Lothian constituency under plans outlined by Boundaries Scotland.
If the proposals are approved, the town would become part of the Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency - which already includes Dalkeith, Wallyford and Musselburgh - at Holyrood elections.
Portobello would also be included in the redrawn Midlothian North and Musselburgh seat, which would lose towns such as Bonnyrigg to the newly created Midlothian South constituency.
The existing East Lothian constituency remains otherwise unchanged barring Prestonpans' proposed removal.
Boundaries Scotland chair Ronnie Hinds said the proposals were a "necessary rebalancing to reflect the movements of the electorate in Scotland" since the previous review in 2010.
The proposals come as part of Boundaries Scotland's review of Scottish Parliament boundaries which was first announced in September last year.
The provisional proposals, which include the creation of 25 new constituencies with new names and boundaries alongside 26 constituencies with minor changes, will now go to public consultation from today.
The one-month consultation runs until Saturday, June 17.
However, local politicians have been "baffled" by the provisional proposals which would create a divide between the town's historical ties with the rest of the county.
Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP, said: “Local people will be baffled by the proposals for the revised East Lothian and Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituencies, which are potentially hugely disruptive for local residents and organisations.
“Splitting the Preston, Seton & Gosford ward by removing Prestonpans would cause further division and confusion and drive a coach and horses through historic local community ties between the town and the rest of the county.
“Local communities would not consider this a minor change to the boundaries and the provisional proposals must be looked at again and amended to keep Prestonpans in the East Lothian constituency.”
Iain Gray, chair of East Lothian Labour Party and former East Lothian MSP, added: "The proposed Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency is a mishmash of communities, the only one to cover three different council areas. This appears to be purely about making the numbers add up.
"The plans fail to recognise and respect the natural links between communities and the importance of being able to effectively represent the views of voters and geographic communities at Holyrood.
"We will be urging Boundaries Scotland to reconsider its flawed proposals for these two constituencies and find a way of retaining Prestonpans with its neighbouring communities in East Lothian.”
Boundaries Scotland is the body responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for changes to constituencies and regions for the Scottish Parliament.
Ronnie Hinds, chair of Boundaries Scotland, said: "I believe that our provisional proposals offer a robust set of constituencies within the legislative rules set for us.
"They represent a necessary rebalancing to reflect movements of the electorate in Scotland since parliamentary boundaries were last reviewed.
"We have reduced the variation in electorate between the largest and smallest constituencies by over a third and increased the number of constituencies sitting within a single council area from 51 to 59.
"Today is the beginning of a process, however, and we now want to hear the views of the public.
"We will reflect on responses to the consultation and make changes where appropriate and where the legislation allows us to do so.
"We strongly encourage people to make their views heard.
"We particularly want to hear suggestions for alternative boundaries that comply with the legislative requirements and for constituency names"
Results of the consultation will determine a final decision made by Boundaries Scotland, which will be submitted to Scottish ministers by May 1, 2025.
If approved, the new boundaries will be effective at the next Scottish Parliament election in May 2026.
At the last Scottish Parliament elections, Paul McLennan (SNP) won the East Lothian seat with a majority of 1,179 from Martin Whitfield (Lab).
In Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie (SNP) won with a majority of 7,906 over Stephen Curran (Lab).
Mr McLennan has been contacted to comment.
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