In a landmark decision, the Missouri Supreme Court has opened the door for state voters to weigh in on a congressional redistricting map that critics have called a stark partisan gerrymander favoring Republicans. The ruling comes after Missouri voters approved a 2022 ballot measure granting them the power to accept or reject legislative redistricting plans through a referendum — a mechanism that had never been used in the state before. The decision sets the stage for a high-stakes fall vote that could make Missouri the first state to use a popular referendum to reject a congressional map drawn by its legislature. The case has drawn national attention as a potential blueprint for other states seeking to give citizens a direct say in the redistricting process.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that voters can decide the fate of the GOP-passed gerrymander via a referendum this fall.
