Voters in Missouri are rallying against the state's newly gerrymandered congressional map, which they believe favors the Republican Party. The map was drawn by the state legislature, sparking protests and a grassroots effort to overturn it. Leann Villaluz, a key figure in this movement, is knocking on doors to gather signatures for a petition that would put the map to a public vote. She notes a sense of resentment among voters, who feel their representatives have failed to uphold their duty to the people's will.
Missouri's map is one of several across the country that have been redrawn to favor one political party, with President Trump's efforts to maintain control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms as a key catalyst. States like North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kansas are also under scrutiny for potential gerrymandering. California, in contrast, is attempting to counter this trend by redistricting in favor of Democrats if voters pass a constitutional amendment next month.
Missouri's Republican Governor, Mike Kehoe, signed the new map into law, targeting a longtime Democratic seat in Kansas City. However, a group called People Not Politicians Missouri is leading the charge to overturn the map. They have already gathered over 100,000 signatures and aim to collect more than 106,000 by December 11. If successful, a referendum will be on the ballot in 2026, allowing voters to decide whether to keep or reject the map.
The group faces legal challenges, including a lawsuit from Missouri's Attorney General, Catherine Hanaway, arguing that a referendum on redistricting violates the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins initially rejected the petition but later approved it, claiming that none of the signatures gathered before his approval date are valid. The executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, Richard von Glahn, refutes this, stating that the group was allowed to begin gathering signatures before the secretary's approval.
The Democratic National Committee has joined the referendum effort, contributing staff and money. A slew of lawsuits have also been filed challenging the new districts. One of the plaintiffs, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, argues that mid-decade redistricting without a new census is unconstitutional and that her voting power would be diluted.
Despite the opposition, some Republicans support the map. Michael Davis, a Republican lawmaker, believes that Missourians elected Republican lawmakers to send a conservative message to D.C. and ensure Republican control of the U.S. House. However, 15 Republicans, including the speaker of the Missouri House, voted against the map, citing concerns about representing their districts rather than the party.
As the effort to overturn the map continues, Leann Villaluz remains dedicated to gathering signatures. She believes that Missourians won't stand idly by and that they will ultimately have the last word in deciding the future of fair representation in the state.
