Delay of April 3 Texas primary elections looks more likely

A special court in Washington begins proceedings this week to determine whether Texas lawmakers intentionally discriminated against Hispanics when it drew Congressional districts in Texas for use in the 2012 elections.

Texas picked up an additional four congressional seats because of increased population numbers in the 2010 census.

At least one high profile Texas lawmaker, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, does not believe the April 3 primary will take place and will instead be delayed.

Cornyn told the Associated Press that he believed a later primary date was likely, considering that the U.S. Supreme Court had yet to rule on a dispute over the state's redrawn voting maps.

Last week the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether or not to stay interim maps drawn up by a special San Antonio federal court.

There were indications that some justices were favoring letting the D.C. court rule in its case before handing down a ruling from the nation’s highest court.

The D.C. court has scheduled a week of testimony and evidence and final arguments on Feb. 3.

Any change of an election date affects the FCC mandated political window for the primary, currently slated to begin Feb. 18.

TAB will inform stations if a new window is created for the 2012 primary election.