Missouri Congressional Redistricting Referendum Rejection Challenge (von Glahn)

A pro-voting lawsuit asking the court to reverse the secretary of state’s rejection of an anti-gerrymander referendum. 

Background

A Missouri voter filed a lawsuit in state court challenging Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ (R) rejection of a redistricting referendum that would veto the GOP-controlled state legislature’s gerrymandered map. Plaintiff asserts that the referendum is sufficient because enough signatures were submitted and verified. Plaintiff also argues Hoskins’ stated reason for rendering the referendum unconstitutional – that the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions prohibit a referendum based on redistricting – is unfounded. The lawsuit asks the court to reverse Hoskins’ rejection of the referendum and block further implementation of the gerrymander.

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 obtained over 300,000 Missouri voter signatures — three times the required number of signatures — 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 at each stage of the referendum process.

Latest Updates

• Aug. 4, 2026: Plaintiff filed his petition and asked the court to resolve the case by Sept. 8.