AI Generated Image
A 'crisis' in Missouri elections? Supreme Court puts the blame on one state official
stltoday.com • • nation
Key Points:
- The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously suspended newly drawn congressional maps, ruling they were never in effect due to a sufficient referendum petition that should have put the maps to a public vote.
- Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, is blamed by the court for election confusion after he delayed declaring the referendum unconstitutional until the primary election day, forcing voters to use the contested maps.
- The court rejected arguments from Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway about election disruptions, stating any confusion was caused by Hoskins' delay and misuse of the maps.
- Republican state lawmakers, including Sen. Rick Brattin and Rep. Bob Onder, filed a federal lawsuit to overturn the state Supreme Court ruling, while referendum backers believe the November elections can proceed with the primary nominees.
- Hoskins defended his actions and appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming he followed the law and suggesting the court, not his office, caused voter disenfranchisement.
