Missouri legislature

Missourians will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve Republicans' gerrymandered congressional map, or reject it entirely. Gov. Mike Kehoe said this week that the redistricting push was still worthwhile, even though Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II will likely win another term and the saga resulted in protracted litigation.

Missouri lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional lines in 2025, in an attempt to oust Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and add a Republican seat to the U.S. House. But after a successful petition campaign, the new map was blocked from taking effect for this election, and voters in November will decide whether to approve or reject it.

The campaign to keep Missouri’s abortion rights amendment in place has so far outfundraised the campaign to reinstate a ban about 7 to 1, in part because of $5.3 million from the Fairness Project, a D.C.-based nonprofit that doesn’t have to disclose its donors.

This is the third time the high court has stymied efforts to implement a map aimed at ousting Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II for this November's election.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that using 2022 congressional lines for the upcoming election violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals is deciding whether to order the November election to be held in the same district lines used for the primary. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled a referendum made that map, drawn in 2025 to benefit Republicans, has no legal effect.

The Missouri legislature has yet to act on data centers, with one bill on the topic only getting a House hearing last year. Gov. Mike Kehoe has repeatedly touted the benefits of building data centers in the state.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wants the 8th Circuit Court to restore the redrawn, GOP-favoring congressional districts and toss out the ballot referendum challenging the map. But county clerks argued that any more changes to the November election would require delays, massive costs and voter confusion.

Hemp companies in Missouri and across the country are rethinking their business plans in anticipation of the federal ban.

The Missouri Supreme Court's ruling means the congressional map from 2022 will be in place for the November general election, giving longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II a stronger chance to keep his seat.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said he would not stop election officials from placing a referendum on the ballot — or running the Nov. 3 election on an older congressional map. He tried, but failed, to get the Missouri Supreme Court to stay its ruling on Friday.

The Respect Missouri Voters plan would make it much harder for lawmakers to overturn voter-approved ballot initiatives.