Democrats have also talked of turning the tables by redrawing Congressional lines in New Mexico, where they control the state government.

He said Democrats would have a great advantage when state legislatures decide how Congressional lines should be drawn.

The Legislature and the governor must approve new Congressional lines in time for the 2002 elections.

After the 2000 census, Texas redrew its Congressional lines, as it was required to, to reflect population shifts.

New York is the only state that still does not have new Congressional lines.

Congressional lines are also redrawn and state legislators redistricted according to the census.

So the chance - however remote - that the Congressional lines could change means that signatures at all three levels could become invalid.

After the 2000 census, Colorado redrew its Congressional lines in a way that produced some real contests.

In 1982, a court-appointed master drew new Congressional lines, at a cost of about $1 million, only to have the Legislature reach a last-minute compromise.

Instead, the county executive committee will designate the nominee once the Congressional lines are drawn, he said.