Missouri Voters Mobilize to Challenge Gerrymandered Map

Residents in Missouri are uniting to contest a controversial congressional map that they claim has been gerrymandered to favor Republican candidates. Led by activists like Leann Villaluz, the group known as People Not Politicians Missouri is gathering signatures for a petition aimed at putting the new map to a public vote.

Villaluz has been actively canvassing neighborhoods across Kansas City, encouraging residents to sign the petition. “There’s a sense of resentment, even among regular voters who aren’t typically involved,” she stated. “We have to pick up the slack for representatives who have been elected to do their simple duty and carry out the will of the voters.” Missouri’s new map, signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe in late September 2023, is seen as a strategic effort to maintain Republican dominance in the U.S. House during the upcoming elections.

Missouri joins states like Texas in implementing new redistricting following a contentious nationwide process initiated by former President Donald Trump. The new congressional map modifies the state’s representation, targeting the district of long-serving Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver II.

To challenge this new map, Villaluz and approximately 3,000 other volunteers aim to collect over 106,000 signatures by December 11, 2023. If successful, the petition will lead to a referendum in 2026, allowing voters to determine the fate of the congressional map. Villaluz reports that they have already gathered more than 100,000 signatures and are continuing their efforts.

Legal and Political Challenges Arise

While the grassroots movement gains momentum, it faces resistance from state officials. Catherine Hanaway, the Attorney General of Missouri, has filed a lawsuit arguing that a referendum concerning redistricting violates both the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Concurrently, Denny Hoskins, the Missouri Secretary of State, initially rejected the referendum petition but later approved it, claiming that signatures collected before his approval are invalid. Hoskins emphasized that the integrity of the ballot measure process must be upheld.

In response, Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, accused Hoskins of spreading misinformation for political gain. He stated, “Our campaign has gathered signatures at a historic pace — I’ve never seen Missourians unite and mobilize this quickly.”

Support for the referendum is bolstered by the involvement of the Democratic National Committee, which has pledged additional resources to the cause. Legal challenges to the new map continue to emerge, highlighting the contentious nature of the redistricting process.

Local Voices Speak Out

Among those impacted by the new congressional map is Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, a progressive candidate for the Kansas City Council. She is actively collecting signatures for the referendum while campaigning. Amezcua-Hogan argues that splitting Kansas City into three different districts will dilute the voting power of its residents. “My own voting power would be watered down,” she remarked, expressing concern that critical issues such as affordable housing and mental health resources would be further neglected.

The new map passed smoothly through the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature, reflecting a strong party-line vote. Some Republican lawmakers, however, expressed opposition. Michael Davis, a representative from a suburban area of Kansas City, supported the map, asserting that it aligns with the wishes of the constituents who elected Republican officials. Conversely, Bill Allen, a Republican state representative, noted that many of his constituents opposed the mid-decade redistricting, emphasizing that representatives should prioritize the needs of their districts over party allegiance.

As the petition drive continues, Villaluz remains optimistic about the potential for change. “I feel that Missouri is used as a guinea pig by the GOP,” she stated. “They think that the average Missouri voter is dumber than we are, but that’s not the case.” With mounting public support, she believes that voters will have the last word on the matter.