The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 15, 2025
The Missouri Senate approved a new mid-decade Congressional map Sept.12th, manipulated to gain one more GOP seat and preserve a majority in the U.S. House. To make sure voters don’t override such partisan bills, it also passed a constitutional amendment proposal to make citizen ballot initiatives harder to win.
Both bills now go to Governor Mike Kehoe, who requested the legislation. According to reporting by the Missouri Independent, the redistricting bill likely gains one GOP U.S. House seat by splitting the 5th Congressional District along Kansas City’s Troost Avenue, held by 11-term Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.
The legislature also passed a constitutional amendment proposal requiring not only a 50%+1 majority statewide, but in each Congressional district as well. It still must be approved by voters.
Voters have already filed suit, arguing the Missouri constitution prohibits mid-decade Congressional redistricting, and that the map is not compact as the state constitution requires. People Not Politicians Missouri announced a citizen ballot measure to overturn the legislature’s decision, an action allowed under Missouri’s current constitution. Once greenlighted by the state, 100,000 signatures must be collected in 90 days for the voter veto to be added to the Nov. 2026 ballot, but too late to roll back the new Congressional map for the midterm.
We have the map and links to local reporting at AmericanDemocracyminute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Missouri’s Special Session was Called to Gerrymander Another GOP Seat, But There May Be More Voter Suppression Ahead
Missouri Independent – Missouri lawmakers pass gerrymandered congressional map, initiative petition limits
ACLU – Missouri Voters Challenge Mid-Decade Redistricting Effort
Jackson County Circuit Court (via ACLU) – Wise v. Missouri
People Not Politicians Missouri –What Missourians Need to Know About Politicians’ New Radical Gerrymandering Proposal
NPR – After Missouri, what state is next? A redistricting race started by Trump continues
Groups Taking Action:
People Not Politicians Missouri, 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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