Jefferson City, Missouri — The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the state from using a Republican-drawn congressional map in the November midterms and ruled that voters may decide the redistricting plan through a referendum.
The unanimous decision means Missouri will use its previous 6-2 congressional map rather than the newer map, which was expected to give Republicans a 7-1 advantage by dismantling Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based district.
Judge Ginger K. Gooch wrote that the referendum petition challenging the new map was “legal, sufficient, and timely.” Because the petition was valid, the court concluded that the redistricting law never took effect and cannot do so unless voters approve it.
The group People Not Politicians submitted more than 330,000 signatures seeking a referendum, more than twice the number required. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had previously blocked the effort, a decision later upheld by a lower court before Thursday’s reversal.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said she plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. President Donald Trump also criticized the ruling, calling it “horrible” and arguing there was not enough time to switch maps before the general election.
The ruling marks a setback for Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts before the midterms. Missouri lawmakers had acted after Trump urged GOP-controlled states to pursue maps that could improve Republican chances of retaining control of the House.
The redistricting question will now go before Missouri voters in November.
Sources
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