redistricting

Backers of the Respect Missouri Voters initiative turned in roughly 350,000 signatures on Sunday to the Missouri secretary of state’s office. Lawmakers would be barred from changing or repealing voter-approved statutes or constitutional amendments, unless 80% of the legislature agrees to put the changes to another statewide vote.

If the referendum qualifies for the November ballot, Missouri voters would be asked whether to approve the redistricting plan passed by Republican lawmakers. A citizen group sued Secretary of State Denny Hoskins accusing him of writing a biased summary, and two courts have now agreed.

By weakening Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination in redistricting, the Supreme Court has paved the way for the largest-ever drop in representation by Black members of Congress.

Even though the Supreme Court's decision gutting the Voting Rights Act would likely allow the Missouri legislature to redraw the 1st Congressional District in 2027, GOP lawmakers may be hesitant to change the St. Louis-based seat.

The court, in a 6-3 decision along partisan lines, ruled that Louisiana's 2024 election map, which created a second majority-Black congressional district, was "an unconstitutional racial gerrymander."

All of Cleaver's past elections have been in his Kansas City backyard. This time, because Republican lawmakers gerrymandered the 5th congressional district, he’s facing the prospect of having to stump for votes from Troost Avenue all the way to Columbia.

While the national rush to redraw congressional districts began with a call from President Donald Trump, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway quickly became the state's bulwark in defending Republican redistricting against lawsuits and a citizen petition.

A judge ruled that the Republican-leaning “Missouri First” congressional map will be in effect for the November election. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a lawsuit to stop a referendum effort, claiming that voters don't have the power to overturn the map.

The Tarkio Republican is the latest GOP House incumbent to end a reelection campaign. Under Missouri's new congressional map, there's a lot more of Kansas City included in the 6th District, although it still heavily favors Republicans.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway told KCUR’s Up To Date that she believes Missouri voters don’t have the authority to block the newly drawn congressional map through a referendum. “I think we know for 2026 what the congressional districts are,” Hanaway said. Legal challenges are still underway.

What does “when” mean? The definition became a key part of a ruling that impacts the 2026 election by allowing new Republican-favoring congressional districts to stand.

Candidates are filing to represent Kansas City with a run for Missouri's 4th, 5th and 6th districts under a redrawn congressional map. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas won't be among them.