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Missouri’s Republican secretary of state has blocked a citizen-led effort to place a redistricting referendum on the November ballot. Denny Hoskins declared the petition invalid, arguing that congressional redistricting plans cannot be subject to voter referendums under state law. The decision came despite supporters collecting hundreds of thousands of signatures and exceeding the required threshold for ballot qualification.
The rejected measure would have allowed voters to decide whether to adopt a new congressional map approved by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature. The map, which has already been implemented for primary elections, redraws several districts, particularly reshaping the Kansas City-based fifth district held by Democratic representative Emanuel Cleaver. The change extends the district into rural areas with Republican leanings, potentially benefiting the GOP’s efforts to expand its House representation.
Organizers with People Not Politicians Missouri said they plan to challenge Hoskins’ decision in court, contending that voters should have a voice on redistricting matters. Hoskins announced his rejection on the final day permitted under state law, allowing the new districts to remain in effect during the interim. The secretary of state also rejected a separate ballot measure aimed at strengthening the citizen initiative process, drawing similar promises of legal action from its supporters.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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