Congressional, state House maps released in time to keep May 29 primary

As in Abbott's plan, the court's Congressional map would make half of Texas' four new congressional seats Hispanic-controlled—including the newly created District 35— the former district of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, spanning from Austin to San Antonio.

Further, the Congressional map also resembles the original maps drawn by the Republican-led Legislature that divided Travis County into five congressional districts, cutting at Doggett's support base by again reconfiguring his current district, District 25, and creating District 35 out of his former one.

According to Elam, barring any appeals, the court's interim maps will be used for the 2012 elections.

Doggett issued a statement after the release of the maps.

"As an effective advocate for schools, veterans, health care and retirement security, my service fits well with the neighborhoods that have now been joined from South San Antonio to North Austin," Doggett stated. "I will continue the visits with working families that I already have underway."

The Congressman continued, "And I will continue to stand up to Rick Perry and other extremists, whose misguided policies are threatening our families' security."

Travis County Democratic Party Chair Andy Brown called the maps terrible.

"This is a clear effort by the Republican legislature to split up Travis County so we no longer have a unified voice in Congress," he stated.

While the court hasn't officially designated May 29 as the date for the primary, the judges had instructed state party leaders Feb. 15 to submit proposed changes to election deadlines and procedures based on that date. Those submissions are set to be reviewed Feb. 29.

Federal lawsuits have halted the enactment of the state Legislature's maps—which were not precleared by the federal government—originally delaying the primaries from March 6 to April 3.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected maps in January drawn by the San Antonio court, citing the insertion of the judges' own preferences. The court instructed them to redraw the maps to more closely resemble the state's plan.

"Compared to the [San Antonio] court's previously issued interim maps, this would be an improvement," Elam stated. "All in all, we feel that it is a great thing that maps have been issued."

Elam said he expects a court order by the end of the week with directions on how to proceed with a May 29 primary.

"Our next steps are to register voters and do our best to unseat the Republicans who drew these maps," Brown said.