In an effort led by the state's Republican and Democratic parties, a panel of three federal judges in San Antonio approved a request Dec. 16 to move the date of all of Texas' primary elections from March 6 to April 3.
Under the new deal, the 2012 runoff election would be held June 5, and the primary filing deadline was extended until Dec. 19.
"We're glad to have worked out an agreement which we feel works best for Texans," said Boyd Richie, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, in a news release. "Given the less-than-ideal circumstances, we think that this election schedule is a workable solution that will create the least confusion for the voters. We're pleased that the agreement maintains a unified primary which will save taxpayers money."
The Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri agreed, crediting the current status of the state's redistricting maps as the reason that made the date change necessary.
