A three-judge federal panel says it's unlikely that they'll approve district maps to be used temporarily for next year's congressional primaries while legal challenges to Texas redistricting proceed.
Consequently, the filing period may be shortened for candidates in all state and congressional races by about two weeks.
The view was made clear during a Monday federal court hearing in San Antonio. The San Antonio Express-News reports the judges said they'll be unlikely to approve interim congressional maps by Nov. 12, when filing for statewide office begins.
The hearing involved a combination of several lawsuits filed by minority and Democratic groups. A final resolution is stalled while a Justice Department challenge to lines proposed by the state is pending before a three-judge panel in Washington.
