Missouri Judge Delivers Major Redistricting Win for Trump and GOP Ahead of Midterms

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled Wednesday that Missouri’s referendum process cannot be used to challenge the state’s Republican-drawn congressional map, preserving a Trump-backed redraw that strengthens the GOP’s position and targets a Democratic-held seat for the November elections.

Green sided with Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who had refused to certify a citizen-led petition seeking a statewide vote to repeal House Bill 1. The judge concluded that the Missouri Constitution specifically assigns the authority to draw congressional districts to the General Assembly and does not clearly extend the general referendum power to those maps. “The Missouri Constitution does not supply any statement — let alone a clear one — reallocating authority over congressional redistricting away from the General Assembly to a referendum process,” Green wrote. He issued the decision hours after the trial concluded.

The map in question was approved by the Republican-controlled legislature during a 2025 special session and signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. President Donald Trump had urged GOP-led states to redraw districts to help protect the party’s narrow House majority. The new lines break up the Kansas City-area 5th Congressional District long held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, creating a configuration that analysts describe as giving Republicans an advantage in seven of Missouri’s eight House seats. The previous map had produced a consistent 6-2 Republican edge.

Opponents organized under the group People Not Politicians collected more than 300,000 signatures in an effort to force a veto referendum that would have placed the map before voters in November. Hoskins rejected the petition earlier this month, arguing it was unconstitutional. Green upheld that determination and further noted that switching maps between the August primaries—already conducted under the new lines—and the general election would violate federal law and undermine the right of voters to have their primary ballots counted.

Republican leaders welcomed the ruling. Kehoe called it a “quick, common-sense” decision that allows Missourians who voted under the new map in the primary to elect candidates under the same boundaries in November. The decision keeps HB 1 in full force for the general election pending further review.

People Not Politicians Executive Director Richard von Glahn announced an immediate appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court, which has set arguments for September 2. The high court is expected to resolve the matter quickly given election deadlines. Until then, the Trump-supported congressional map remains the one under which Missouri voters will cast ballots in the midterms.