Cole County judge to hear arguments in redistricting lawsuit Monday
Alison Patton
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Cole County Judge is set to hear arguments Monday from a group backing a referendum petition to put the “Missouri First” map on the November 2026 ballot that is suing Secretary of State Denny Hoskins for rejecting the referendum three times.
This is one of four other lawsuits challenging the new map.
People Not Politicians filed its petition shortly after the new congressional map was passed through the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives, but before Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it into law, according to a pretrial briefing filed by People Not Politicians.
Hoskins and the attorney general argue this lawsuit is irrelevant now because the group’s referendum was approved for circulation on Oct. 15, according to lawsuit documents from the attorney general.
The state legislature voted to redistrict the state outside of a census year in September, following a push from President Donald Trump to get more Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. The new map could cut out current U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver in Missouri’s Fifth District.
In an October news conference, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown) said he intends to run for Cleaver’s seat.
Hoskins is also suing People Not Politicians to stop the referendum from getting on the ballot. A federal judge in the Eastern District of Missouri will hear arguments on Nov. 25.
Two more hearings are scheduled for Tuesday morning, both challenging the new congressional districts.
Check back for updates.