Missouri Organizers Challenge GOP's 'Inaccurate and Biased' Gerrymander Referendum Language
Pro-democracy organizers filed a new lawsuit Thursday accusing Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) of using wildly deceptive ballot language to tilt a referendum in favor of the GOP’s mid-decade gerrymander.
The legal challenge, led by People Not Politicians Missouri and referendum proponent Richard von Glahn, argues that the state’s top election official crafted a misleading political pitch — not a fair description of the measure — in a transparent attempt to boost support for the 7–1 Republican map before voters can weigh in next year.
Republican officials have been deploying every lever to keep their congressional redraw in place and block Missourians from exercising their constitutional right to overturn the law through a referendum.
The ballot question Hoskins certified to appear before voters, called 2026-R004, describes the 2022 map as a “gerrymandered” plan that “protects incumbent politicians” while claiming the new 2025 map “keeps more cities and counties intact,” is “more compact” and “better reflects statewide voting patterns.”
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/missouri-organizers-challenge-gops-inaccurate-and-biased-gerrymander-referendum-language/