The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for March 27, 2026
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled March 24th that the state legislature did have the authority to redistrict mid-decade, and not just after the release of the decennial U.S. Census. The legislature’s HB 1 gerrymandered Congressional map diluted majority-Black Kansas City to gain one GOP-leaning seat.
The map was drawn in response to President Trump’s call to gerrymander additional congressional seats prior to the 2026 midterm election, but has been challenged by voters and pro-voter groups. It split 11-term Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s seat, diluting Black voting power by adding the downtown areas into adjoining suburban, White districts.
In a 4-3 decision, the court upheld a lower court, concluding the state constitution did not “expressly limit” the general assembly’s power to redistrict. For the moment, the HB1 Congressional maps will now likely be in force for the midterm – a win for the GOP.
However, the same day of the court decision, People Not Politicians Missouri announced it had exceeded the number of qualifying signatures from all Congressional districts for its citizen ballot initiative amending the state constitution to prohibit gerrymandering. Its presence on the ballot may freeze the previous map until the outcome of the vote in November. Attempts by the Missouri secretary of state and outside groups to derail the pro-voter ballot measure have so far failed.
We’ve linked to more local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Supreme Court of Missouri – Decision – MERRIE SUZANNE LUTHER, et al., Appellants, V. DENNY HOSKINS
Missouri Independent – Missouri Supreme Court upholds legislature’s redistricting authority, keeps voter ID law
State of Missouri – Missouri Constitution – III Section 3. Election of representatives — legislative redistricting methods — house independent bipartisan citizens commission, appointment, duties, compensation — court actions, procedure
Missouri Independent – Missouri referendum campaign says it has enough signatures to challenge gerrymandered map
People Not Politicians – Divided MO Supreme Court Ruling Will Not Derail Effort toThrow Out Gerrymandered Congressional Maps
People Not Politicians – Referendum on HB1 — Preliminary results from LEAs
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (Jan. 2026) Missouri Secretary of State Tactics Attempt to Derail Citizen Repeal of Gerrymandered Congressional Map
American Democracy Minute – (2025) After the SCOTUS Texas Congressional Gerrymandering Decision, Battles Continue in Missouri, Indiana and Florida
Groups Taking Action:
People Not Politicians MO, League of Women Voters MO
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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