Missouri Special Legislative Session Results In New Congressional Maps, Petition Process Proposal

A special session of the Missouri Legislature accomplishes the goals set forth by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe.

With the backing of the Republican controlled House and Senate, a new map was passed to redraw congressional districts, primarily impacting the 5th District in the Kansas City area, a seat currently held by Democrat  Emanuel Cleaver.  Several states, controlled by both Democrats and Republicans, have been looking at new maps in advance of the midterm elections. In a release announcing the special session in August, Kehoe said the new map would better reflect the overall values of the state. Democratic Lawmakers opposed the move and protesters made the trip to Jefferson City to show their opposition to the maps. 

The other issue passed by legislators was to put a proposal on the state wide ballot that would require any constitutional ballot measure to be passed by voters in each Missouri congressional district, not just a simple majority throughout the state. The proposal would also ban any foreign groups for contributing to campaigns for or against measures.