Editor's Note: February 2012 proved that the General Assembly could mess with our heads

2/7/12 UPDATE - All deadlines have been moved to Friday afternoon by order of Franklin Circuit Judge Shepherd.

The filing deadline to run for Congress was extended to February 7th according to an agreement of Kentucky House and Senate.

The filing deadline to run for the General Assembly? That's still an open question. As this is written, it's in the hands of Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd.

Judge Shepherd entered a temporary restraining order on its own motion preventing the Secretary of State from certifying any candidate for office under House Bill 1. That's the big redistricting bill that changed both house and senate precincts.

The Court provided that the restraining order will expire on Tuesday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m. EDT unless the Court extends it.

An evidentiary hearing and on motions for temporary injunction by the Plaintiffs and Intervening Plaintiffs is scheduled for Monday morning in Franklin Circuit Court.

At this writing, the parties are Plaintiffs Joseph Fischer and Dr. David B. Stevens, and Intervening Plaintiffs Sen. David O'Neill, Jack Stephenson and Marcus McGraw and Sen. Kathy Stein. The Defendant is Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.

In its hearing order the Court brought up specific issues related to changing an even numbered Senate District with an odd numbered one. Odd numbered districts vote in 2012. Even numbered senate terms aren't up until 2014. The Court asked about disenfranchisement of voters who could have voted in this election, but because of the changes won't get to vote for two more years.

Depending on what happens at the morning hearing, members of the General Assembly may find out by Tuesday afternoon who their competition for office will be.

Or not.