Missouri Congressional Redistricting Plan Suspension Request

A pro-voting lawsuit seeking to suspend the use of Missouri’s new gerrymander until after a referendum is held on whether to block the new map. 

Background

Two Missouri voters filed a lawsuit against Missouri seeking to block the use of the state’s new gerrymander before voters weigh in on a referendum to block the new plan. The plaintiffs argue that the new map should be suspended until after the referendum vote, because organizers have submitted signatures to place the referendum on the ballot. However, Republican state officials argue that the new map will not be suspended unless and until the secretary of state certifies the signatures. The voters claim that officials are wrongly interpreting state law in violation of Missouri’s constitution. They ask the court to declare the state’s new gerrymander suspended until voters approve or reject it through the referendum process.

Why It Matters

In September, Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed into law a new congressional map that dilutes the voting strength of Black voters in Kansas City. People Not Politicians submitted more than 300,000 signatures – far more than the number required to put a “people’s veto” of the gerrymander on the statewide ballot. GOP officials in the state have sought to create obstacles for the ballot measure’s organizers.

Latest Updates

• May 12, 2026: The Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments on plaintiffs’ appeal of the trial court’s Mar. 27 dismissal, in which the court found that the new gerrymandered map is not suspended pending the “mere” submission of the referendum petition.
• May 4, 2026: Plaintiffs submitted their reply brief.
• Apr. 28, 2026: Defendants and defendant-intervenors filed their response brief.
• Apr. 10, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their brief and appendix with the Missouri Supreme Court. People Not Politicians and Boone County Clerk and Election Authority submitted amicus briefs.
• Apr. 3, 2026: Defendants filed their jurisdictional statement with the Missouri Supreme Court stating the court should review the case. Plaintiffs filed a motion to expedite proceedings, asking the court to issue a decision by May 26. Defendants did not oppose an expedited briefing schedule.
• Apr. 1, 2026: The trial court issued the mandate.
• Mar. 30, 2026: Plaintiffs asked the trial court to issue the mandate so they could appeal the Mar. 27 decision to the Missouri Supreme Court. Plaintiffs then filed their jurisdictional statement with the state’s highest court.
• Mar. 27, 2026: The court dismissed the case finding that the new gerrymandered map is not suspended pending the “mere” submission of the referendum petition.
• Feb. 17, 2026: Put Missouri First filed their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and final judgment.
• Feb. 10, 2026: A trial was held to address whether the new map is suspended pending a referendum vote.
• Feb. 8, 2026: Defendant Secretary of State filed an amended answer to plaintiffs’ complaint.
• Feb. 7, 2026: Defendants State of Missouri filed a motion to dismiss.
• Jan. 20, 2026: The court held a hearing on Put Missouri First’s motion to dismiss, but denied plaintiffs’ request to hear arguments on their motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Jan. 16, 2026: Defendants filed their opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction and asked the court not to hear the motion at the Jan. 20 hearing on defendants’ motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs filed their reply.
• Jan. 14, 2026: Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction to suspend the new map until the referendum process is complete. They asked the court to hear the motion at the Jan. 20 hearing on Put Missouri First’s motion to dismiss.
• Jan. 13, 2026: Put Missouri First filed their motion to dismiss.
• Jan. 8, 2026: The court granted Put Missouri First’s motion to intervene and set aside plaintiffs’ motion to expedite trial until after the Jan. 20 motion to dismiss hearing.
• Dec. 26, 2025: Put Missouri First filed a motion to intervene as defendants.
• Dec. 24, 2025: Plaintiffs filed a motion for expedited trial.
• Dec. 23, 2025: Voters filed their petition.