AUSTIN, Texas -- Last-ditch negotiations to save the April 3 Texas primary appear dead and that means a federal court will likely draft the state's political maps and set a new primary date.
The court had set a Monday deadline for the state and a coalition of minority groups to reach a compromise. But several black and Hispanic groups splintered at the bargaining table.
Minority groups are suing over political districts in the state's most urban and racially diverse areas in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and the upper gulf coast. They claim that Republican lawmakers drew districts that make it hard for minorities to elect the candidates that they want.
But Republicans say their maps only prevent Democrats from winning, which is legal.
Federal judges have set a hearing for next week.
