Missouri Supreme Court Blocks Trump-Engineered Gerrymander, Champions Voters’ Rights
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In a unanimous decision, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down the Republican-drawn congressional map, crafted to entrench right-wing power and backed by Donald Trump, and ordered a statewide referendum to let the people decide.
On Thursday, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously rejected the congressional map engineered by the Republican-dominated Legislature and championed by President Donald Trump, preventing its use in the November general election. The court’s decision marks a significant blow against partisan gerrymandering and right-wing attempts to manipulate the democratic process. Instead, the court empowered Missouri voters by mandating a statewide referendum to determine the fate of the new districts.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, a Republican, immediately vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, framing the decision as a 'constitutional crisis'—a familiar refrain from conservatives when their efforts to subvert democracy are challenged. The court, however, found that the petition opposing the map, which was supported by over 300,000 signatures from engaged citizens, was entirely legal, sufficient, and timely, directly contradicting the Secretary of State’s earlier undemocratic rejection of the referendum.
'The referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise,' the court wrote, affirming the people's right to participate in the redistricting process.
As a result, the gerrymandered map used in the August primaries will not be imposed on voters in November and will remain dormant unless the public approves it. For now, the districts based on the 2020 census will continue to be used through the 2026 election, preserving a fairer representation for Missourians.
This dispute arose after Governor Mike Kehoe called a special legislative session at Trump’s urging, seeking to redraw districts for partisan gain. The session produced a radically altered 5th Congressional District, stripping representation from Democrat Emanuel Cleaver and handing an advantage to Republican Rick Brattin, who won the GOP primary in the newly rigged district.
Cleaver, running unopposed in the primary, affirmed his commitment to serve his constituents regardless of the court’s ruling, while Brattin, a Marine veteran, questioned Cleaver’s ability to represent the newly manipulated district—a typical tactic to undermine progressive voices.
Missouri’s case is part of a nationwide pattern of Republican attempts to seize more House seats through mid-decade redistricting, undermining democracy. The court’s decision also overturned a separate ruling that had blocked a citizen-initiated ballot measure, ensuring it will appear on the November ballot and giving power back to the people.
After the ruling, activists from People Not Politicians rallied outside the court, celebrating the victory for democracy and urging voters to take control of the redistricting process.