Trending Now - Missouri Judge Invalidates Trump-backed Redistricting Plan

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe

Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

Opposition group People Not Politicians

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway

WHAT:

A Missouri judge ordered a new description for a ballot proposal regarding congressional redistricting backed by Trump.

The original ballot summary described the existing congressional districts as “gerrymandered,” which was deemed biased.

More than 300,000 petition signatures were submitted to force a statewide referendum on the new congressional districts.

Missouri lawmakers approved new congressional districts in September 2025.

The new map aims to help Republicans win a Kansas City-area seat currently held by Cleaver.

WHERE:

Jefferson City, Missouri

Missouri's congressional districts

WHEN:

The judge's ruling occurred on Friday, March 20th, 2026.

The deadline for Hoskins to determine the validity of the referendum petition is August 4th, 2026.

The new congressional districts were approved in September 2025.

WHY:

The ruling was a response to claims that the original ballot summary was unfair and biased against the new districts.

The redistricting was initiated to give the GOP an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections.

HOW:

The judge struck much of the original wording of the ballot summary but allowed phrases describing the new districts as more compact and keeping more counties and cities intact.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 11:02 UTC)

A Missouri judge has ordered a new description for a ballot proposal on congressional redistricting backed by Trump, after the original summary was deemed biased for describing existing districts as “gerrymandered.” This ruling, which came on Friday, March 20, follows the submission of over 300,000 petition signatures to force a statewide referendum, with a deadline for the Secretary of State to determine its validity set for August 4, 2026. The new congressional map, approved in September 2025, aims to assist Republicans in winning a Kansas City-area seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.