Key Takeaways
- A Democratic-supported group in Missouri, People Not Politicians, has submitted over 300,000 signatures to block the state’s new congressional map drawn by Republicans.
- The group is seeking to repeal the map through a voter referendum, which would allow voters statewide to have a final say on the map.
- The Missouri secretary of state must certify the petition before it can appear on the ballot, and the process is likely to face litigation and complications.
- The redistricting effort is part of a national fight sparked by President Donald Trump to shore up the GOP’s narrow House majority.
- Millions of dollars have been poured into the fight from both national Democratic and Republican parties, with concerns about out-of-state involvement and the potential impact on the 2026 election.
Introduction to the Redistricting Fight
A Democratic-supported group in Missouri, People Not Politicians, has taken a significant step towards potentially repealing the state’s new congressional map drawn by Republicans. The group submitted over 300,000 signatures for a petition that seeks to block the new district lines from going into effect before next year’s midterm elections. This development marks the latest wrinkle in the national redistricting fight, which was sparked by President Donald Trump in an effort to shore up the GOP’s narrow House majority. The new congressional map, passed by Missouri’s Republican-controlled Legislature, carves up one of two districts currently represented by a Democrat, making it likely to turn into a GOP-leaning seat.
The Petition Process
The petition process is an important check on legislators’ power, allowing voters to exercise and protect their power. People Not Politicians utilized a provision in Missouri law that allows for a citizen referendum, which would enable voters statewide to have a final say on the map. The group had until Thursday to gather approximately 107,000 signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts. However, they submitted almost three times that number, demonstrating significant support for the effort. The submission of the signatures effectively pauses the new law that created the map, and the Missouri secretary of state must now determine whether the group has submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures.
Verification and Certification
The verification process will likely be completed before the July deadline, but any ruling by the secretary of state is almost certain to face litigation. The Legislature would then move to schedule an election that allows voters to weigh in on the map. However, there are likely to be several more complications along the way, including the timing of the election itself. If the redistricting measure is placed on the ballot for the general election in November 2026, the new map wouldn’t be in effect for the midterms. State lawmakers could place the measure on the ballot for an earlier existing election or call a special election. The election day will be another fight within the Legislature, with Republicans enjoying a supermajority in both legislative chambers.
Concerns and Controversies
Millions of dollars have poured into the fight from both national Democratic and Republican parties, with concerns about out-of-state involvement and the potential impact on the 2026 election. Missouri Republicans have expressed concerns about money coming from donors and interests outside the state to help boost the referendum effort. They also argue that the new map is both legal and constitutionally sound. The referendum campaign seeks to employ a clause in the Missouri Constitution stating that any law referred to voters cannot take effect unless approved by a majority vote. The process to refer a law back to a voter referendum has occurred only about two dozen times in the state’s history, and it is reserved for extreme times.
Legal Fights and Investigations
The effort is already mired in a series of legal fights. In October, the Missouri secretary of state initially rejected the petition effort, arguing that the legislation redrawing the maps was approved weeks earlier, but the bill had not actually been signed into law at the time the petition was submitted. People Not Politicians sued to challenge the move and has also sued the secretary of state separately, alleging that he certified "misleading and unconstitutional ballot language" for when the referendum could be placed on the ballot. Additionally, the state attorney general has sued People Not Politicians in federal court, alleging that the effort to refer the map to a referendum is unconstitutional. The attorney general’s office is also investigating a firm that helped collect signatures for People Not Politicians, alleging that the company employed undocumented immigrants in the signature collection effort. Advanced Micro Targeting has denied the allegations.
Conclusion
The redistricting fight in Missouri is a significant example of the national struggle for power and representation. The petition effort by People Not Politicians demonstrates the importance of citizen involvement in the democratic process and the need for checks on legislative power. As the process moves forward, it is likely to face numerous challenges and complications, including litigation, controversy, and concerns about out-of-state involvement. Ultimately, the outcome will depend on the will of the voters and the ability of the democratic process to ensure fair and representative government.