State’s request to rewrite ballot language on congressional map to be considered at trial
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Cole County judge on Wednesday did not OK the Secretary of State's request to rewrite the ballot language for a referendum that would put the new congressional map on the November ballot.
Judge Brian Stumpe did not deny the request during the case hearing, either; the request will be considered with the case, which is set to go to trial Monday.
This is the latest hearing in a string of lawsuits challenging the new congressional map that the General Assembly passed in a September 2025 special session. The map is likely to cut out U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) from District 5 and flip his seat to Republicans.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' legal team is arguing the ballot title written is unfair and prejudicial because of the words "gerrymandered" and “protects incumbent politicians,” according to court documents.
People Not Politician filed the lawsuit.
"It's not every day you see the defense move for the relief on the other side. However, the evolution in the Secretary's position that I just described does compel us to secure a fair and sufficient summary statement," Hoskins' attorney Kathleen Hunker said.
Hoskins wrote the ballot language last year, after the group backing the referendum, People Not Politicians, submitted more than 300,000 signatures to Hoskins for certification.
"Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled 'House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),' which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?"
People Not Politicians attorney Chuck Hatfield argued the state needs to change specific sections of the ballot language, but shouldn't be able to rewrite the whole question.
"I don't remember the Secretary of State ever before admitting that they had drafted unfair and prejudicial language, like they have here, and I think we're entitled to learn more," Hatfield said.
Hatfield wanted to bring in the director of elections, Chrissy Peters, to the Secretary of State's Office for questioning, which Hoskins' attorney is challenging. Stumpe sided with the state and denied Hatfield's deposition.
Hatfield said he wanted to know how Hoskins came up with the description of the map as keeping more cities together, which is more compact and reflects voter patterns.
Hunker argued Peters wouldn't know anything about that.
"Mrs. Peters does have relevant information, but the elections division does not actually develop the summary statements. She has no personal knowledge in her capacity as the director of elections," Hunker said.
Hunker also argued the new 2025 congressional map and the 2022 map should be the only things used in court.
Hatfield said he would have questioned Peters and another state official on Thursday, but because Stumpe already made a ruling, the deposition will be skipped, and the case will go to trial Monday.
