Missouri Supreme Court Judges Press Secretary of State Denny Hoskins on Congressional Redistricting Referendum
Missouri Supreme Court judges pressed Secretary of State Denny Hoskins on Wednesday to explain why a congressional redistricting referendum should not appear on the November ballot. The case involves a gerrymandered congressional redistricting plan passed by Republicans in a 2025 special session.
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If the court rules in favor of the ballot, the new district lines will be used for the November 3 election. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins declared the referendum petition insufficient on August 4, because he stated the Missouri Constitution does not explicitly allow a statewide vote on redistricting. This decision was supported by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway. However, attorneys for People Not Politicians argued that the Missouri Constitution allows for the referendum. The court must rule by September 8 on whether the referendum, known as Proposition A, will be on the ballot. If the court allows the referendum, the new map aims to flip the 5th District from Democratic to Republican control. Republicans nominated Rick Brattin to run against incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.