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ACLU Sues to Halt Missouri’s New Congressional Map Pending Referendum

The case contests the state’s move to keep the map active despite 305,000 submitted signatures as the 2026 candidate filing window approaches.

Boxes of petition signatures are stacked up to be delivered Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, to the secretary of state's office in Jefferson City, Mo., calling for a referendum election on new U.S. House districts approved by the Missouri legislature. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Overview

  • The ACLU of Missouri filed the Cole County lawsuit on behalf of two Jackson County voters, seeking immediate suspension of the map until a statewide vote.
  • Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says the districts remain in effect unless Secretary of State Denny Hoskins verifies sufficient valid signatures and certifies the petition.
  • Organizers submitted about 305,000 signatures, far exceeding the roughly 110,000 required with geographic distribution, but local verification can run through July 28, 2026.
  • The suit cites Missouri Supreme Court precedent and past practice, including a 2017 right-to-work case, asserting laws are suspended upon submission of referendum petitions.
  • The redrawn map, backed by President Donald Trump, targets a Democratic-held Kansas City seat and is the focus of at least nine related legal challenges ahead of 2026 filings starting Feb. 24.