The Texas legislature passed SB 100 before adjourning. That action seemed to settle that the primary (for all office) will continue to be in March. Some versions of SB 100 had moved the primary to April, but the final version kept it in March. But it is still possible that the 2012 Texas primary will be in April. On May 31, Texas Governor Rick Perry called a special session of the legislature. There are still powerful legislators who want to move the primary to April, and it is possible the special session will take up the issue again. It is also conceivable that SB 100 will be vetoed, which would force the special session to deal with the primary date issue. SB 100 moves the date of the runoff primary to conform to federal law about sending overseas absentee ballots, and if SB 100 were vetoed, Texas would not be in compliance with the federal law and another attempt would be required.

Texas petition deadlines for independent candidates (for office other than President) and for unqualified parties are keyed to the date of the primary, so the primary date issue indirectly affects ballot access. Thanks to Jim Riley for this news.