The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 12, 2026
January 6th, the Missouri Secretary of State disqualified one third of the qualifying signatures for a ballot initiative repealing a gerrymandered mid-decade congressional map. January 9th, his lawyer admitted in court that the state’s language for the ballot initiative was “likely to create prejudice.” It’s all part of an all-out effort to derail the pro-voter ballot measure.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins told the Associated Press in December, “I’m going to do everything I can to protect Gov. Kehoe’s Missouri First Map — the map the General Assembly passed,” UNQUOTE.
The ballot initiative constitutionally repeals the map, which splits Kansas City’s 5th congressional district to gain one GOP seat. The Missouri Independent reports that January 6th, Hoskins rejected about 103,000 of the 305,000 qualifying signatures as having been collected too early. Petition organizers People Not Politicians likely still has enough of the 110,000 needed from six of eight Congressional districts to qualify, but the signatures must still be verified. Hoskins’ decision was challenged in court.
The group also challenged Hoskins’ proposed ballot language for the measure. In a pre-trial hearing January 9th, an attorney for the Secretary of State admitted the language, QUOTE, “ . . . does come close enough to the line of being inherently argumentative and likely to create prejudice.” She said the language would be rewritten.
We have more on Missouri’s fight for fair maps at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Governor Mike Kehoe – ‘Missouri First’ Map
American Democracy Minute – (2025) After the SCOTUS Texas Congressional Gerrymandering Decision, Battles Continue in Missouri, Indiana and Florida
St. Louis Public Radio – (Oct. 2025) Redistricting foes blast Hanaway for trying to stop referendum on Missouri map
Denny Hoskins, Missouri Secretary of State – Setting the Record Straight on Ballot Language
PBS/AP – Opponents of Trump-backed redistricting in Missouri submit a petition to force a public vote
Missouri Independent – Denny Hoskins isn’t verifying one-third of signatures for vote on Missouri’s gerrymandered map
Missouri Independent – Denny Hoskins admits writing flawed ballot summary for Missouri gerrymandering referendum
Groups Taking Action:
People Not Politicians, ACLU Missouri, Campaign Legal Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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