Judge rewrites ballot summary for ‘Missouri First’ congressional map

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge has certified a ballot issue summary that was rewritten after the Missouri secretary of state admitted it was unfair, despite having approved it.

Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe issued his order, including new ballot language, on Friday based on arguments given during a Feb. 2 hearing in a Cole County courtroom. The lawsuit was brought by People Not Politicians -- an activist group that is working against a new congressional map favored by the Republican supermajority.

Stumpe's new ballot language eliminates the description of the state's current map as "gerrymandered" and protects incumbent politicians. The language still describes the map as more compact and having boundaries that better keep cities and counties intact.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had admitted in legal filings that the language was unfair and likely to prejudice voters, Stumpe wrote.

The "Missouri First" map at the heart of the ballot question was approved by the Republican supermajority in the Missouri General Assembly amid a White House push to gain GOP-friendly seats in the House, giving the majority more cushion. The map carves up the current Fifth District, which is represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.

The map is set to appear on the November general election ballot.