KANSAS CITY, Mo.
If they get the signatures they need, the referendum would stall the map until voters weigh in next year.
She’s visited five neighborhoods so far around Kansas City, which would be split into three Republican-leaning districts under the new map.
She says Kansas City is already competing for federal resources and splitting it up into three districts will only make that more difficult.
Michael Davis represents a suburb south of Kansas City and is one of the lawmakers who championed the new map.
Kansas City, Mo. Leann Villaluz has been knocking on doors in Kansas City on a daily basis lately to collect signatures on a petition that would allow voters to choose the state’s new congressional map.
“Even to ordinary voters who aren’t as involved, there’s a sense of resentment,” Villaluz claims. “We must make up the difference so that elected officials can fulfill their basic responsibilities and represent the people’s will. Rather, they believe that we lack the ability to determine what is best for ourselves. “,”.
In an attempt to keep control of the U.S. Congress, President Donald Trump launched a nationwide redistricting campaign in July, making Missouri the second state in the nation—after Texas—to gerrymander its congressional map. A. house in the midterm elections of 2026.
North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kansas are just a few of the states that may follow shortly. If voters approve a constitutional amendment next month, California is attempting to thwart the Republican effort by redistricting in favor of Democrats.
Late last month, Mike Kehoe, the Republican governor of Missouri, signed the new map into law. In Congress, the state had two Democrats and six Republicans, but the new plan specifically targets a longtime Democratic representative. The seat of Emanuel Cleaver II in Kansas City.
The People Not Politicians Missouri group, however, is attempting to overturn the state’s new map with the help of Villaluz and roughly 3,000 other volunteers. By December 11th, if they are able to collect over 106,000 signatures throughout the state, a referendum will be put on the ballot for voters to choose whether to accept or reject.
According to the organization, it has already collected over 100,000 signatures and continues to do so. The referendum would halt the map until voters cast their ballots the following year if they were to obtain the necessary number of signatures.
Everyone she’s talked to, according to Villaluz, has been eager to sign. To date, she has toured five neighborhoods in the Kansas City area, which the new map would divide into three districts with a Republican leaning. Villaluz even visited the recent Chappell Roan concert to collect signatures on her petition.
“Almost everyone who pauses and listens to the petition’s message is prepared and eager to sign,” Villaluz claims. “The maps will dilute your vote, regardless of what you choose, and no one wants that. “.”.
The Secretary of State and Attorney General of Missouri retaliate.
People Not Politicians Missouri must not only collect a sufficient number of signatures, but also confront opposition from leading state election officials. Catherine Hanaway, the state attorney general, sued in federal court, claiming that a redistricting referendum would violate both the U.S. S. . and Missouri’s constitutions.
After initially rejecting the group’s referendum petition, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins did approve it this week. In a press release, however, Hoskins asserts that none of the signatures collected prior to his approval date are legitimate.
Hoskins stated, “The process is clear,” in the press release. “All Missourians ought to have faith that ballot measures adhere to the law, not dubious campaigns or out-of-state agendas.”. This process reflects Missouri’s values of integrity and fairness. “.”.
According to a statement from Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, Hoskins is “deliberately spreading misinformation for political purposes,” and the group was permitted to start collecting signatures prior to the secretary of state’s approval under the state constitution.
Von Glahn said in the statement, “I’ve never seen Missourians come together and mobilize this quickly — our campaign has gathered signatures at a historic pace.”. “Neither intimidation nor distraction will be tolerated. Missourians, not politicians, will decide whether or not our state will continue to have fair representation in the future if this referendum passes. “..”.
The Democratic National Committee has joined the referendum effort and is increasing its financial and human resources. Numerous legal actions have also been brought against the new districts.
And a legal action.
One of the plaintiffs, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, claims mid-decade redistricting without a new census is unconstitutional and is attempting to prevent Hoskins from using the map to hold a congressional primary or general election.
“It would dilute my own voting power,” Amezcua-Hogan claims. It would seem to me that I’m not being adequately represented. Also, I believe it would be very discouraging, at least for me personally, for the issues I’ve been working on for years and that are very important to me. “.”.
Amezcua-Hogan is a progressive-leaning candidate for the Kansas City Council. If the new map is accurate, the region she wishes to represent would be divided into three separate congressional districts. Amezcua-Hogan collects signatures for the referendum effort while she addresses voters on behalf of her campaign.
Kansas City is already vying for federal funds, and dividing it into three districts will only make matters worse, she claims.
According to Amezcua-Hogan, “Kansas City is already confronted with a lack of affordable housing, a lack of mental health resources, and a lack of transportation.”. “We already feel as though we are up against a steep hill, and it will only get worse. “.
The majority of Republicans support it, but not all do.
During its week-long special session, the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature overwhelmingly approved the state’s new congressional map.
One of the legislators who supported the new map is Michael Davis, who represents a suburb south of Kansas City. He is one of the Republican lawmakers who are a member of the state’s Freedom Caucus, which seeks to move the party even further to the right.
According to Davis, Missourians chose Republican representatives because they believe they will use redistricting in the most effective way.
“We should communicate with D.C in a conservative manner. “,” Davis remarks. “Sending seven Republicans is the best way to accomplish that since they will guarantee that Republicans maintain control of the U.S. S. Congress. “.
However, 15 Republicans, including Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson, voted against the map in the state legislature. Almost all of them come from regions of the state that would be redistricted or relocated to new districts.
Republican state Rep. The northland of Kansas City, which is evenly divided between the parties, is represented by Bill Allen. He is against mid-decade redistricting and expressed disappointment that Missouri appeared to be following Trump’s and Texas’ example.
According to Allen, “I believe I heard from one or two constituents who wanted me to vote in favor, and nearly every other constituent that I heard was in opposition.”. It is the representative’s responsibility to speak for the district, not the party or, most definitely, the president. only the 39,000 people in the district I represent. I am accountable for their will. “.”.
For the next two months, Villaluz says, she will continue collecting signatures until the group determines whether it has done enough to put redistricting on the ballot and possibly overturn Missouri’s gerrymandered map.
“I think the GOP uses Missouri as a test state,” Villaluz says. “They believe that we are more intelligent than the typical Missouri voter, and they believe that they can get away with much more in this red flyover state, but that is untrue. “.
