Denny Hoskins Rejects Missouri Referendum on New Congressional Districts Backed by President Trump
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizens' petition seeking a statewide referendum on new congressional districts. The petition, which received over 300,000 signatures, sought to let voters decide on the new U.S. House map approved by the Republican-led state legislature. Hoskins asserted that the petition is void because challenging a congressional map is unconstitutional under Missouri law. This move follows a call from President Trump to redraw districts to the GOP's advantage during the midterm elections. The new map reshapes the Kansas City-based 5th Congressional District to give it a Republican tilt. Supporters of the referendum, led by the group People Not Politicians Missouri, plan to contest the decision in court. Hoskins also rejected a second petition regarding the initiative process, citing a constitutional prohibition against combining multiple subjects into a single amendment. The administration's redistricting efforts are part of a broader national trend where Republicans aim to gain seats in eight states, while Democrats seek gains in California and Utah.