Missouri Opponents Push for Referendum on Controversial Redistricting Plan

Tue Dec 09 2025 23:41:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Over 300,000 signatures submitted to challenge a new congressional map in Missouri, backed by Trump-aligned Republicans, aiming for a statewide vote.

In Missouri, opponents of a newly drawn congressional map have launched a petition drive, collecting over 300,000 signatures demanding a statewide referendum. The map, which supporters claim will help Republicans maintain a slim majority in Congress, faces accusations of gerrymandering as challengers argue it disrupts fair representation. The initiative is part of a wider national trend in mid-decade redistricting efforts spurred by political motivations.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — In a significant push against Missouri’s newly drawn congressional map, opponents have gathered over 300,000 signatures in favor of a statewide referendum. This new redistricting plan, primarily supported by President Donald Trump and aligned Republican factions, is seen as pivotal for maintaining a narrow GOP majority as the election approaches.

The petition, collected by the organization People Not Politicians, surpassed the required 110,000 signatures needed to suspend the implementation of the congressional districts until the vote next year. The submission has energized political discourse in the state and has drawn substantial attention to the implications of gerrymandering.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, has expressed concerns regarding the constitutionality of the referendum, emphasizing potential legal challenges in its verification process. If validated, the upcoming referendum could significantly alter the political landscape, especially in tight races like the urban Kansas City seat currently held by Democrats.

State law mandates that any referendum be scheduled during the next general election, unless the legislature disputes this timeframe within their session beginning in January. Furthermore, efforts to contest the new map include legal challenges from state authorities who argue that mid-decade redistricting may infringe upon constitutional provisions.

As similar redistricting efforts unfold across the nation, Missouri stands at a crossroads, where citizens increasingly assert their positions on fair representation. With every congressional seat under scrutiny, the ramifications of Missouri's redistricting could herald a new chapter in its electoral history, a century after the last significant referendum on such a matter.