Missouri Congressional Redistricting Referendum Challenge
Missouri General Assembly et al v. Glahn et al
An anti-voting lawsuit seeking to block a state-wide referendum to veto the GOP-controlled state legislature’s new gerrymandered map.
Background
The Missouri Legislature and Secretary of State filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging People Not Politicians and its Executive Director Richard von Glahn’s referendum to veto the state legislature’s new gerrymandered map. Republicans assert that voters cannot use state law to deprive the legislature of its authority to conduct redistricting. The lawsuit asserts violations of the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions and plaintiffs seek to block the referendum from moving forward.
Why It Matters
Missouri’s constitution allows voters to conduct a “people’s veto” for unpopular legislation signed into law. At least 106,000 Missouri voters must sign the referendum to bring the issue to a statewide ballot. Last month, Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed into law a new congressional map that dilutes the voting strength of Black voters in Kansas City. Despite defendants obtaining over 100,000 signatures to proceed, Missouri’s Secretary Of State Denny Hoskins (R) sought to impede the referendum by claiming signatures already collected by voters are invalid and were illegally obtained.
Latest Updates
- Dec. 8, 2025: The judge ruled the case “not ripe for decision” and subsequently dismissed it. The plaintiffs could not show substantial harms.
- Nov. 25, 2025: The court heard arguments on plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction to block the referendum from moving forward and defendants’ motion to dismiss.
- Nov. 20, 2025: Defendants filed their reply in support of their motion to dismiss.
- Nov. 13, 2025: Plaintiffs filed their opposition to defendants’ motion to dismiss and support for their own motion for a preliminary injunction.
- Nov. 4, 2025: Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and their opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants argue plaintiffs lack standing and their claims are not ripe for adjudication.
- Oct. 15, 2025: Plaintiffs filed their complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction.