Key facts
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizen petition for a referendum on new congressional districts.
- Hoskins stated that congressional redistricting plans are not subject to voter referendums under the U.S. and Missouri constitutions.
- The petition, backed by People Not Politicians, had submitted over 300,000 signatures.
- The new congressional map, which benefits Republicans, is already in use for the current primaries.
- A group supporting the referendum plans to challenge Hoskins' decision in court.
Missouri's top election official has rejected a citizen petition that sought to put a public vote on new congressional districts, which were drawn with the backing of Donald Trump. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins asserted that congressional redistricting plans are not subject to voter referendums, deeming the petition unconstitutional.
The group People Not Politicians, which sponsored the referendum effort, submitted over 300,000 signatures, well exceeding the roughly 111,000 needed to qualify for the ballot. Hoskins announced his decision on the last day allowed by state law, allowing the new districts to be used for the current primaries.
The new map significantly alters the Kansas City-based 5th Congressional District, currently held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, by extending it into rural central Missouri to create a Republican tilt. Republicans already hold six of Missouri's eight congressional seats and aim to gain another with the revised map.
This move follows a trend in Republican-led states, such as Texas, to redraw congressional districts to favor the GOP. The redistricting effort has already led to about a dozen lawsuits in Missouri. The group backing the referendum has stated its intention to challenge Hoskins' decision in court.
Mid-decade redistricting is unusual but has gained momentum following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. Republicans anticipate gaining up to 16 House seats nationwide from new maps in eight states, while Democrats expect to gain up to six seats in California and Utah. Despite redistricting, Republicans face headwinds, including historical midterm losses for the president's party and Trump's approval ratings.