Missouri judge upholds redrawn congressional map for November elections

A Missouri judge has ruled that the state may use its newly redrawn congressional map for the upcoming November midterm elections. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green denied a legal challenge that sought to place the redistricting plan before voters via a statewide referendum.

The ruling supports the decision by Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who had previously determined that the referendum did not qualify for the ballot. Judge Green stated that the Missouri Constitution grants redistricting authority to the state legislature and noted that changing the maps at this stage would be “not just ‘impractical’; it is impossible.”

The redrawn map, implemented by the Republican-controlled legislature, could potentially grant Republicans an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The organization People Not Politicians, which gathered signatures to force a public vote, has expressed intent to appeal the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court.