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Missouri court allows new Trump-backed US House districts in November election
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A Missouri judge ruled that new U.S. House districts favored by President Trump can be used in the November elections, rejecting efforts to put the maps to a statewide referendum.
- The judge agreed with the Secretary of State and Republicans that Missouri’s Constitution does not authorize a referendum on congressional redistricting, a decision now set to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
- The redistricting was aimed at helping Republicans retain their slim House majority, notably by reshaping Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s district to include more Republican-leaning areas.
- Opponents argue the issue should be decided by voters, while Republicans contend changing districts after the primary would cause voter confusion and violate federal law.
- Missouri’s redistricting battle is part of a broader national trend, with several Republican-led states redrawing maps mid-decade to gain House seats ahead of the 2024 elections.
