Judge rules Hoskins was in the right to reject signatures on petitions challenging ‘Missouri First’ map, group files notice of appeal

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge ruled on Monday that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins was allowed to toss out signatures that were gathered on a petition before a certain date.

Judge Christopher Limbaugh’s ruling was in relation to one of the lawsuits over the ongoing showdown between the state and a group trying to fight the “Missouri First” congressional map that was put in place in 2025.

The group People Not Politicians began gathering signatures prior to Hoskins approving a petition for circulation. Hoskins had argued that those signatures before Oct. 15, 2025, would not count.

Court filings show that People Not Politicians filed a notice of appeal in the case on Tuesday in the Western District Court.