Missouri anti-redistricting group sues to force November vote on Republican-drawn map
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What is the controversy over Missouri’s new congressional maps?
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From KCUR, this is Up to Date. I'm producer Hallie Jackson. Many Kansas Citians voted in new congressional districts during Tuesday's primaries. Those lines were drawn and passed last year by the Republican-controlled Missouri General Assembly, with the explicit intention of ousting Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver II. But whether voters will cast their ballots in those same districts come November is still up for debate. Tuesday was the deadline for Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to determine whether a referendum aimed at undoing those maps will go before voters. And Hoskins declined to certify it. He argues the Missouri Constitution does not give voters the right to weigh in on redistricting.
We'll hear from him later in this segment, but the move sets up another certain legal challenge led by the campaign People Not Politicians. Richard Van Gwan is the executive director of People Not Politicians, and he joined Brian Ellison to talk more about this legal challenge.
Richard, welcome to Up to Date. Good morning, Brian.
Why did Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refuse to certify the anti‑gerrymandering referendum?
So what do you make of the decision yesterday by Secretary Hoskins?
I think the decision was very predictable, and I would say it's pretty pathetic. The secretary delayed eight months before making what is a purely legal argument. We should note he did not say we did not have enough signatures. We knew we did when we turned in over 305,000, but he is making an entirely legal argument that is actually an argument that he made in the fall to... Trump appointed federal judge in the Eastern District, and that case was dismissed. It's also an argument that's been made to the US Supreme Court and been rejected.
You certainly don't sound surprised that he did this. Why do you think he waited until 4pm yesterday, an hour before the deadline?
because he's been an obstructionist throughout this entire process and is trying to operate as a single person veto over the wishes of over 305,000 Missourians that signed a perfectly legal petition. So this is just the latest straw in his obstruction.
I know this isn't the first time that we've talked about this, but remind us, why do you think his legal argument is wrong? Why is it that redistricting should be subject to referendum? I mean, he points out that the language of the U.S. Constitution refers to legislatures having that right.
Yes. And the US Supreme Court has also said that state constitutions need to or should be honored in this process. And our state constitution is very clear. For over a century, Missourians have had the right to do a referendum on any act of the General Assembly other than those that are necessary for peace or health or appropriations of the General Assembly. Missourians did this exact thing over 100 years ago.
How does People Not Politicians argue that the referendum should be on the ballot?
They did a referendum on a congressional redistricting map that was passed, and they rejected it. So we are very clear on what the language is and what the history of the state is.
So that history aside, legal argument aside, courts around the country have been by and large ruling against those who have tried to stop mid-decade redistricting. They've upheld them in various places around the state. How confident are you that courts will rule with you this time and not uphold what will surely be the position of the Department of Justice and the Republican administration?
Yeah, Missourians are very fortunate in that we have a nonpartisan court plan.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the controversy over Missouri’s new congressional maps?
0:00–1:50
2
Why did Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refuse to certify the anti‑gerrymandering referendum?
1:50–3:52
3
How does People Not Politicians argue that the referendum should be on the ballot?
3:52–6:28
4
What historical and constitutional precedents support a redistricting referendum in Missouri?
6:28–8:20
5
How confident are the advocates that courts will side with the referendum?
8:20–9:50
6
What is Secretary Hoskins’ explanation for the timing of his decision?
9:50–11:20
7
If a court orders the referendum, how will Missouri prepare for a November vote?
11:20–12:51
8
What are the potential outcomes for the 2024 elections if the map is invalidated?
12:51–14:18
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from Up To Date
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