Michael Keane, an analyst with the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau, says of speculation that the GOP might move the schedule ahead: “It’s theoretically possible. I’ve heard talk, but nothing official.”

Keane, the point person on redistricting at the bureau, says he can’t comment on whether Republicans have discussed the matter with him because legislation that might be submitted to the bureau is confidential until it is introduced in the Legislature.

“If somebody was going ahead (with early redistricting), officially, I couldn’t tell you,” he says. “You’d have to talk to legislative leadership about what they’re going to do.”

But for now, Republicans aren’t talking.

“You talked to Democrats who ‘think’ that Republican leaders have these grand plots,” Andrew Welhouse, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, says in an email response to questions about GOP plans. “I guess I’ll leave it up to your journalistic standards if their motivated speculation is worth reporting on.”

He added: “We’re not going to comment on the timing issue,” leaving plenty of room for such speculation.

• • • •