Judge approves new ballot language in Missouri Congressional map lawsuit
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A judge from the Missouri Court of Appeals has approved new ballot language that asks voters to approve or reject a new Congressional map.
A Thursday decision by Western District Judge Aloka Ahuja shows that the ballot language will now read:
“Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled “House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),” which repeals Missouri’s existing congressional plan, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more counties intact?”
The previous version of the question last month stated:
“Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),’ which repeals Missouri’s congressional plan, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, and are more compact?”
People Not Politicians, a political group that had filed an appeal in the lawsuit to challenge the ballot language, had took issue with calling congressional districts “compact,” according to previous reporting. This is the second appeal in the case, which last month saw a Cole County judge initially rewrite the ballot language.
PNP Missouri Executive Director Richard von Glahn approved of the new ballot language in a statement.
“For the second time, a court has ruled that the Secretary of State tried to mislead voters about critical facts about the impact of HB1 and we appreciate the Western District setting the record straight,” his statement reads. “When Missourians vote on the referendum, HB1 will not be the “existing” map and HB1 can only be lawfully enacted by an affirmative vote of the people. People not politicians should choose which maps they believe reflect fair representation in the U.S. Congress. We are glad voters will have a clear understanding on what is being asked of them on the referendum vote.”
Check back for updates.