Missouri election chief rejects referendum on Trump-backed congressional districts
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has rejected a citizens' petition to hold a referendum on new congressional districts. The state official claims that challenging redistricting maps via voter referendum is unconstitutional under Missouri law.
Why it matters
This decision impacts the balance of political power and the ability of citizens to challenge legislative redistricting efforts in the United States.
By DAVID A. LIEB Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s top election official has rejected a citizens’ petition seeking a statewide referendum on new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump.
Supporters of the referendum had submitted hundreds of thousands of petition signatures in a bid to force a November election on a new U.S. House map approved by the Republican-led state Legislature. But Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins asserted Tuesday that the petition is void because congressional redistricting plans cannot be subject to voter referendums.
The number of petition signatures submitted doesn’t matter, Hoskins said, because “challenging a congressional map is unconstitutional under Missouri law.”
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