Missouri Supreme Court Blocks GOP Gerrymandering Attempt Before Midterms
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In a victory for democracy, the Missouri Supreme Court has stopped a Republican-backed congressional map from being used in the 2024 elections, upholding the 2020 district lines and affirming the people's right to fair representation.
The Missouri Supreme Court has taken a stand against partisan gerrymandering by issuing an order that prevents a Republican-engineered congressional map from being used in the November 2024 elections. Instead, the court has preserved the district boundaries established after the 2020 census, ensuring that the voices of Missouri voters are not diluted by undemocratic redistricting schemes. The court found that the referendum petition opposing the GOP map was legal, sufficient, and timely, and that the legislature’s attempt to redraw districts cannot override the will of the people without their direct approval.
This decision is a crucial safeguard for communities like Kansas City, where Democrat Representative Emanuel Cleaver has served for decades. The Republican map would have cynically split his constituency, undermining the representation of working-class and minority voters. By maintaining the existing district, the court has protected the integrity of Missouri’s democracy.
Predictably, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, framing the decision as a 'constitutional crisis.' Governor Mike Kehoe, echoing right-wing talking points, expressed disappointment and accused the judges of disrespecting the legislative process, ignoring the fact that the process was being abused for partisan gain.
President Donald Trump, a frequent opponent of democratic norms, denounced the ruling on social media, calling it a 'dark day for justice' in Missouri. In reality, the court’s order upholds the Missouri constitution’s requirement for voter approval of redistricting changes, reinforcing the principle that the people—not self-serving politicians—should have the final say in drawing district lines.