MISSOURI ELECTION CHIEF REJECTS BID TO HOLD PUBLIC VOTE ON TRUMP-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

Missouri's Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, has rejected a citizens' petition seeking a statewide referendum on new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. The petition had gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures in an effort to force a November election on the new U.S. House map approved by the Republican-led state Legislature. This decision has significant implications for the state's electoral landscape.

Hoskins asserted that the petition is unconstitutional because congressional redistricting plans cannot be subject to voter referendums. A group backing the referendum effort has announced plans to challenge Hoskins' decision in court. The new congressional map, which is being used in the state's primaries, dramatically reshapes the state's electoral districts to the GOP's advantage.

The rejection of the petition is part of a broader national effort by Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts in their favor, with Missouri being the second state to do so after Texas, in response to Trump's call to hold on to the party's slim House majority in the midterm elections.

• Missouri's Secretary of State rejected a petition for a referendum on new congressional districts
• The petition had gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures
• The decision is being challenged in court

Read the original source for full detail available at Associated Press src