Missouri officials claim new congressional map in effect, critics disagree
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri's new congressional maps are now state law.
That is, according to the Missouri attorney general and secretary of state.
However, the group fighting the maps says that's not true, and that the map was suspended from going into effect when they submitted more than 300,000 signatures on a petition to override it.
In a statement, a People not Politicians spokesperson cited when then-Attorney General Josh Hawley and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft suspended legislation when signatures were submitted in 2017.
"It is historically undisputed by both Republicans and Democrats that laws subject to a citizen referendum are suspended when signatures are submitted," the release states. "In 2017, a so-called ‘right to work’ law was suspended the moment signatures were submitted. During this time, Jay Ashcroft was the Secretary of State and Josh Hawley was the Attorney General. Ashcroft's office even took the proactive step of showing reporters how a 1982 bill was suspended once signatures were submitted that year. "
People Not Politicians says Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' office testified in court that the legislation would be suspended.
The Attorney General's Office said in a statement that a federal judge ruled the maps can not be frozen because the referendum is not yet certified by the secretary of state.
The Secretary of State's Office said in a statement that the maps are in effect as of Thursday.
"The referendum is being processed and going through the process – it has not yet completed certification," a spokesperson said. "On or before December 23, signatures will be sent to local election authorities for verification. Clerks have until July 28 to verify and return. Certification is the last step of the process, when the Secretary certifies the signatures and the constitutionality of the referendum."
