Missouri GOP Keeps 8-District Map in Force as Referendum Freeze Fails
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Missouri GOP Keeps 8-District Map in Force as Referendum Freeze Fails
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Summary
Denny Hoskins’ ruling blocked Democrats from using a referendum to suspend Missouri’s new congressional map, leaving the GOP-drawn lines in place for now ahead of November.
Missouri courts have largely sided with Republicans since the legislature passed the mid-decade map last year, and the latest decision means the map is not retroactively frozen under the state Supreme Court’s May framework.
Mid-September ballot deadlines are tightening pressure on election officials, who are preparing for scenarios that could include a court fight over whether Tuesday’s primary results must be voided and rerun under old lines.
People Not Politicians still expects a judge to eventually approve the referendum, but even backers acknowledge uncertainty over whether that would alter the map in time for the 2026 election.