Missouri Secretary of State Rejects Redistricting Referendum on Constitutional Grounds

By EditorAug 06, 20260 Comments

The referendum fight that loomed over Missouri's congressional map for months came to a head on August 4, 2026, when Secretary of State Denny Hoskins declined to certify the referendum petition, declaring it unconstitutional a few hours before polls closed in the state's primary election. Hoskins refused to tell reporters whether the petition contained enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot, saying the count was irrelevant because the Missouri Constitution does not permit a referendum on redistricting. "Whether they had one signature or 500 million signatures doesn't really matter because they are unconstitutional," Hoskins said, noting that the…

MissouriLatest, mid-decade redistricting, Missouri, News, policyindepth

Missouri’s Congressional Map Survives Another Legal Challenge, but the Referendum Fight Is Still Alive

By EditorMay 28, 2026

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on May 27 that Gov. Mike Kehoe acted within his constitutional authority when he convened the special legislative session that produced the state's new congressional map, rejecting a legal challenge brought by the Missouri NAACP. In a unanimous opinion, the court held that the governor has broad authority to determine when and for what purpose to call the legislature into an "extraordinary" session, affirming the judgment of the lower trial court. The ruling closes out one of three legal tracks challenging Missouri's new map. The referendum signature dispute remains pending in state court, with Secretary…

Missouricaseupdates, mid-decade redistricting, Missouri

Missouri State Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in 3 Challenges to 2025 Congressional Map

By EditorMay 12, 2026

The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday morning in three consolidated challenges to the state's new congressional map, known as the Missouri First Map, which Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law following a special legislative session in September 2025. The map, drawn as part of President Trump's broader mid-decade redistricting push to secure additional Republican congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, splits parts of Kansas City into three districts and adds Republican-leaning areas to the district of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, one of the state's two Democratic House members. The Republican-led legislature passed the map last fall, targeting one…

Missouri, State Lawsmid-decade redistricting, Missouri, policyindepth

Missouri Redistricting Effort Faces Referendum and Legal Challenges

By EditorOct 20, 2025

Missouri's new congressional map, signed into law by the state's Republican Governor late last month, has prompted an immediate and organized voter response. The new map seeks to realign the state’s representation, targeting a longtime Democratic seat and potentially shifting the congressional delegation from six Republicans and two Democrats to seven Republicans and one Democrat. Missouri is noted as the second state, following Texas, to implement a gerrymandered map amidst a nationwide redistricting battle. In opposition to the legislatively approved boundaries, the group People Not Politicians Missouri has mobilized approximately 3,000 volunteers to collect signatures for a petition aimed at…

Missouri, Strategy and Politicsmid-decade redistricting, Missouri