Opponents of Missouri’s newly drawn congressional map are rallying to pause its implementation until voters can weigh in. This move comes as the Republican party, under former President Trump, seeks to secure more seats in Congress ahead of the midterm elections.
Governor Mike Kehoe recently approved the redistricting plan, allowing critics, primarily Democrats, until mid-December to gather over 100,000 signatures from six districts for a potential referendum. This referendum would give voters the chance to approve or reject the maps before they take effect.
If the vote occurs during the regular general election in November 2026, Republicans would miss out on using the new lines in the upcoming midterm elections. They might try to expedite the process, calling for a special election to implement the maps sooner.
The timeline is tight. The petitioners must collect signatures by mid-December, and they face a tight schedule with the candidate filing deadline in March.
A coalition named People Not Politicians, joined by various groups, is supporting the signature drive. Richard Von Glahn, a member of this coalition, expressed confidence in their efforts, stating they’ve already trained over 500 volunteers. He criticized the ease with which the maps were passed, highlighting it as an example of politicians prioritizing their interests over those of everyday Missourians.
In the past, Missouri has been a solidly Republican state, as shown by Trump’s victory by over 18 points in the last election. Despite this, Democrats have found success in ballot initiatives like expanding abortion rights and Medicaid.
Scott LaCombe, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, believes the average voter does not strictly align with one party. “Most voters are more complicated than we think,” he noted.
This referendum challenge is part of a larger trend in states across the U.S. Redistricting has been a contentious issue nationally. States like Texas and Ohio are also grappling with how to redraw their districts to favor their respective parties. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as they shape political representation for years to come.
To learn more about the implications of gerrymandering and the state of redistricting in the U.S., visit National Public Radio.
