Missouri’s Redistricting Power Grab Is Unconstitutional—and the Courts Must Stop It

Summary

Missouri Republicans are planning a mid-decade redistricting to grab more congressional seats, but the Missouri Constitution doesn’t allow it—and the Supreme Court should shut it down now.

By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri District 4

Republicans in Jefferson City are pushing for a special session to redraw Missouri’s congressional map. The goal? To force a mid-decade redistricting that flips another House seat their way. Let’s call it what it is—an unconstitutional power grab.

Missouri’s Constitution is clear. Congressional maps are to be drawn after the U.S. Census, not every time one political party wants to stack the deck. Article III, Section 45 of the Missouri Constitution states that districts must be drawn by the General Assembly after census certification and must be “contiguous,” “as compact as may be,” and “as nearly equal in population as may be.” There is no language allowing redistricting between censuses simply for partisan gain.

There is no lawsuit triggering this. No court order demanding a fix. No population shifts so extreme they require immediate correction. This effort is not about fairness or legality. It’s about politics—plain and simple.

And that’s exactly why the Missouri Supreme Court should step in and shut this down before it starts. If allowed to move forward, this sets a dangerous precedent: that any supermajority can call a special session whenever it feels like rigging the map to its own benefit. That’s not representative government. That’s rigged government.

Let me be clear: If Republicans in this state can’t win unless they redraw the map mid-cycle, that says more about their ideas than it does about our voters. If your policies can’t win fair and square, maybe they don’t deserve to win at all.

The integrity of our elections and the voice of every Missouri voter is on the line. I urge the Missouri Supreme Court to take immediate action and block this unconstitutional scheme before the damage is done.

When you send me to Washington in the 2026 elections, I’ll never vote against Missouri or our communities—and especially not our Constitution.

Sources:

Missouri Senate leader says special session is ‘likely’ to redraw congressional map

Missouri – Loyola Law School Redistricting Project

Trump pushes Missouri lawmakers for redistricting fight

American Redistricting Project – Missouri

Princeton Gerrymandering Project – Missouri