Missouri rejects citizens’ bid for vote on Trump-backed redistricting plan

Missouri's Republican Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, has rejected a citizens' petition that aimed to put the state's new congressional redistricting map to a public vote. The petition sought a statewide referendum on the map, which was approved by the Republican-led state legislature and is backed by former President Donald Trump.

Supporters of the referendum submitted hundreds of thousands of signatures in an effort to force a vote on the map in the upcoming November election. However, Hoskins ruled on Tuesday that the petition was invalid. His decision hinges on the assertion that congressional redistricting plans are not subject to voter referendums in Missouri.

The rejection means the new map, drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature, will likely stand without direct public approval through a referendum. This outcome is a setback for groups seeking to challenge the map through direct democracy, potentially altering the political landscape of Missouri's congressional representation.