Missouri high court rules in favor of new GOP-favored map |
Missouri high court rules in favor of new GOP-favored map
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in favor of Republicans on Tuesday, stating state lawmakers were allowed to redistrict mid-cycle – delivering a blow to Democrats who have opposed the GOP-favored congressional lines.
In a 4-3 decision, Missouri Supreme Court Judge Zel Fischer wrote, in support of the majority, that “the circuit court correctly concluded” the new map did not violate the Missouri Constitution.
The state’s constitution “obligates the General Assembly to redistrict when the United States census is certified to the governor but does not otherwise expressly limit the General Assembly’s plenary power to legislate congressional districts,” Fischer wrote.
The ruling is a setback for Democrats, who challenged Missouri Republicans for redrawing the state’s House map mid-cycle.
Lawmakers passed a new set of congressional lines last year, breaking up Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-Mo.) seat in an effort to give the GOP an additional pickup opportunity in the House this November.
Several groups challenged the map, arguing that the state Constitution only allows lawmakers to redistrict once after the decennial U.S. Census is completed. They had also sought to block the map from going into effect before the general election this fall.
“Appellants acknowledge the Missouri Constitution does not expressly prohibit mid-decade congressional redistricting and, instead, argue the ‘Constitution denies such power by clear implication,” Fischer wrote.
“The crux of Appellants’ argument is that, because [the state Constitution] identifies a specific time when the General Assembly shall legislate new congressional districts, the General Assembly cannot redistrict at any other time,” Fischer added. “Appellants are incorrect.”
Missouri is among a handful of states that have redistricted mid-cycle as both parties have sought to redraw their congressional lines to add pickup opportunities in the House.
Republicans in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have redrawn their map in a push backed by the White House and national Republicans while Democrats in California successfully redrew their House map after voters passed a redistricting initiative last fall.
Ohio and Utah have also drawn new maps, which were mandated this year. Florida and Virginia may also see new maps before November.
While the Missouri high court’s decision is a loss for Democrats, advocates are still looking to place a referendum on the ballot in November that would undo the new map.
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