Missouri rejects citizens’ bid for vote on Trump-backed redistricting plan
Missouri’s top election official has rejected a petition for a referendum on new congressional districts
TL;DR
- Missouri's Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a petition for a statewide referendum on the state's new US House map.
- Hoskins stated that challenging a congressional redistricting plan via referendum is unconstitutional under Missouri law.
- The rejected petition was supported by the group People Not Politicians Missouri, which plans to contest the decision in court.
- The new congressional map, approved by the Republican-led legislature and backed by Donald Trump, is seen as favoring Republicans.
- Hoskins also rejected a separate ballot measure designed to strengthen the citizen initiative process.
- Both the redistricting referendum and the initiative measure faced opposition from the Secretary of State's office, citing legal rationales provided by the Republican Attorney General.
- The article notes that Missouri's redistricting effort is unusual as it occurred mid-decade, prompted by a call from Donald Trump.
- Legal challenges are expected for both decisions, with proponents arguing for the people's right to vote on these matters.