Missouri's Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizen veto petition against the state's newly redrawn, Republican-favoring congressional map, arguing only lawmakers may draw such lines. Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the map into law after a September 2025 special session, splitting Kansas City into three districts and likely adding a Republican seat.
Petition organizers argue the state constitution guarantees citizens a referendum right and that the old map should still apply since the petition was filed in December 2025. A Republican National Committee lawyer has joined the state's defense, which critics call evidence of outside pressure on the case.
A Cole County judge hears the case next week, with the dispute expected to eventually reach the Missouri Supreme Court before the November ballot deadline of Sept. 8.
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