Preliminary Redistricting Plan May Slice Up Bristol Township

Bristol Township officials were in an uproar at the township council meeting Thursday when the news of a potential redistricting plan came to light.

The redistricting commission's plan, according township solicitor Russ Sacco, will see more sections of Bristol Township going to the 140th and 141st districts.

"Something like this would dilute, or completely diminish the representation that our residents have available to them," Bristol Township Councilman Bob Lewis said.

Council voted unanimously Thursday to allow solicitor Sacco to draft and send a legal request to the redistricting council directors to keep the township untouched. The redistricting authority will be hearing all exceptions Nov 18.

"If (the redistricting council) do what they are proposing, Bristol Township will not be the voting venue that you know today," Bristol Township Council President Rick Pluta said.

Redistricting typically occurs the year following every 10-year population census to provide areas with greater grow better representation.

According to the 2010 Census, while Bucks County on a whole had a 1 to 5 percent increase in population in the last 10 years, Bristol Township saw a 4.8 percent decrease.