Missouri judge keeps GOP-backed House map in place for November
What's next: Opponents appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court after the ruling upheld boundaries already used in August primaries.
A Missouri judge ruled that the state's referendum process cannot be used to block new congressional districts drawn by the Republican-led Legislature, clearing the way for the map to stay in place for the November election. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green sided with Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Republican groups, finding the Missouri Constitution does not shift congressional redistricting authority from lawmakers to voters by referendum. The revised map targets Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City-based district by moving parts of the city into neighboring Republican-held seats and extending the rest east into rural territory. AP estimated about 59% of voters in the reshaped 5th District are new to it.