People Not Politicians to hold rally to demand certification of petition signatures

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

People Not Politicians will be holding a rally Friday afternoon, demanding that the Secretary of State immediately certify the referendum petition challenging the "Missouri First" congressional map.

The People Not Politicians protest will be in front of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins's office starting at noon.

Earlier this week, the redrawn “Missouri First” congressional maps were upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court, after legal battles over the mid-decade map since its inception. Critics claim it gerrymanders the state to give Republicans an additional seat in the House of Representatives.

During the Supreme Court hearing, the state argued that the new "Missouri First" congressional map is active and will not be suspended until Hoskins validates the signatures.

The Secretary of State's office has until July 27 to certify the signatures ahead of the August 4 primary elections.