Huntsman unveiled a proposed four-district map in September after House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., objected to the temporary at-large status of Utah's new seat until the next census.

The House Judiciary Committee still needs to vote on the bill before it moves to the House floor for a vote, so Sensenbrenner said he would not hold a vote on the bill until the state agreed on the maps.

But even if state lawmakers could approve the maps in time, the remaining congressional schedule still could be the biggest obstacle.

Congress goes back into session Thursday, but there is no clear answer as to when it will adjourn. The outcome of today's election could change the party control of either chamber, which would affect what lawmakers want to do during the lame-duck session and alter control of congressional committees next year.

If the bill does not pass by the time Congress adjourns, it will need to be introduced at the start of the next Congress in January.

And if the state does succeed in getting Congress to approve a fourth seat for Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives, a special election would have to be held next year to fill all of the seats, not just the new one, because of the boundary changes.

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; suzanne@desnews.com