Democrats in Missouri are launching a new petition to block state Republicans from implementing their newly gerrymandered maps ahead of the 2026 elections — and doing so with the financial support of the national party, a source with the Democratic National Committee told Salon. If successful, voters would get a chance to weigh in on the GOP scheme to give President Donald Trump and his party an extra seat in the House.
On Sunday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law a new map that redraws the state’s congressional districts and effectively eliminates one seat presently held by a Democrat.
“I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk,” Kehoe said in a statement, describing the new gerrymander as a reflection of “conservative, common-sense values.”
Early Monday morning, Democrats responded with their own effort to delay and potentially prevent the new maps from being officially implemented. The drive for a referendum comes amid a number of lawsuits that contend the GOP’s redistricting violates Missouri’s constitution.
It is, however, a steep bar to clear. Petitioners must collect signatures equal to 5% of the vote in two-thirds of the state’s congressional districts within a 90-day period to be successful. This means that Democrats will need to secure around 117,000 signatures.
The Missouri Democratic Party first declared its support for the move as the redistricting bill was percolating in the Missouri legislature.
Now the DNC is funding the effort, with money going to hiring organizing staff to manage the campaign, and organizing volunteers both in Missouri and outside the state. Out-of-state volunteers will help contact Missourians by text over the next 90 days.
Start your day with essential news from Salon.
Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.
“After passing Trump’s Big Ugly Bill that kicks 230,000 Missourians off their health insurance and puts four rural hospitals at risk of closing, Missouri Republicans are scared they will lose in 2026 and beyond,” DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement to Salon. “That’s why they are trying to cheat. The DNC won’t stand idly by as Republicans try to take the power away from the people — that’s why we’re partnering with Democrats on the ground to ensure Missourians choose their maps, not Trump or his Republican enablers.”
