Missouri Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over “Missouri First” Congressional Map

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a legal challenge over the state’s new congressional district map known as the “Missouri First” map.

The map was passed by Republican lawmakers last September and signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe. It significantly redraws the boundaries of Missouri’s 5th Congressional District, a district currently represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.

Under the new plan, the district would stretch eastward into heavily Republican areas of the state. The proposal also moves portions of the current 5th District into neighboring districts represented by Republicans Mark Alford in the 4th District and Sam Graves in the 6th District.

Opponents of the map argue the legislature acted improperly by approving a new congressional map without updated population data from the United States Census Bureau. The current district boundaries were originally drawn following the 2020 census.

Attorney Chuck Hatfield, representing those challenging the map, told justices that redistricting should only occur when new census data becomes available.

Hatfield argued that the process is tied directly to census counts and that lawmakers should not redraw district lines mid-decade.

However, Missouri Solicitor General Louis Capozzi, representing the office of the Missouri Secretary of State, said the Missouri Constitution does not prohibit lawmakers from redrawing districts between census cycles. He noted that historical examples of mid-decade redistricting exist both in Missouri and across the country.

Capozzi told the court that the constitution requires districts to be contiguous, compact, and as equal in population as possible, and said courts should respect the political decisions of the General Assembly as long as those standards are met.

Outside the courthouse, roughly 100 demonstrators gathered across the street holding signs criticizing the Missouri First map and urging the court to reject it.

Representatives from the League of Women Voters of Missouri said they believe redistricting should keep communities together and maintain fairness for voters.

The Missouri Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on the legality of the congressional map at a later date.