Hailey
Missouri is on the verge of mid-decade redistricting that could reshape its voice in Washington by 2026.
After a special session called by Governor Mike Kehoe, lawmakers advanced House Bill 1 (HB 1) to redraw the state’s eight U.S. House districts.
The plan is crafted to secure a 7–1 Republican advantage by reconfiguring the Kansas City/Jackson County area—currently a Democratic stronghold represented by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.
What The New Map Does
Under HB 1, portions of Kansas City are split and paired with surrounding suburban and rural counties.
Backers say the proposal reduces community splits and aligns districts with regional interests.
Critics argue it’s partisan gerrymandering, contending the map dilutes urban and minority voting power and is specifically designed to flip MO-05 from blue to red.
The measure passed the legislature with a comfortable margin, despite a few defections, and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Legal Challenges Already Underway
Opponents filed lawsuits within days of passage, claiming mid-cycle redistricting violates the Missouri Constitution absent new census data or a court directive.
Another challenge highlights a clerical issue: a Kansas City voting precinct labeled VTD 811 appears to have been assigned to two districts in the bill text—an error that, if confirmed, could create voter confusion and threaten the map’s validity.
State officials counter that the apparent duplication reflects distinct areas sharing a name and say the bill text will withstand scrutiny.
Special Session Context And Next Steps
The special session proclamation also included proposed changes to initiative-petition rules, which advanced alongside HB 1.
With the bill on the governor’s desk, two clocks are now running: the signature timeline and the court calendar.
If the governor signs and the courts decline to block the plan, candidates and election officials would quickly pivot to the new lines for 2026.
If courts intervene, Missouri could revert to the current map or end up with a court-drawn plan.
Key Facts And Dates (At A Glance)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bill | HB 1 (Congressional redistricting) |
| Purpose | Redraw 8 U.S. House districts mid-decade |
| Political Impact | Aims for 7–1 GOP advantage |
| Main Target Area | Kansas City/Jackson County, MO-05 (Emanuel Cleaver II) |
| Session Type | Special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe |
| Status | Passed legislature; awaiting governor’s signature |
| Litigation | Constitutional challenge + VTD 811 placement dispute |
| Earliest Election On New Map | 2026 cycle (if upheld) |
Political Stakes
Control of the U.S. House is often decided at the margins.
A Missouri shift to a 7–1 map would harden the state’s Republican tilt and could influence the national balance of power.
For Democrats, defending Kansas City’s cohesion and minority representation becomes central.
For Republicans, attaching urban precincts to larger suburban/rural districts could transform a safe Democratic seat into a competitive or red-leaning district.
Expect intensive legal maneuvering, rapid election-administration adjustments, and aggressive candidate recruitment on both sides.
Missouri’s HB 1 is positioned to redefine the state’s congressional lines before 2026.
Supporters tout regional alignment and long-term stability; opponents see partisan gerrymandering and an unwarranted mid-cycle redraw.
With the governor’s decision pending and lawsuits already filed, the state is headed for a swift and consequential test of redistricting law, electoral fairness, and political power—one that could echo well beyond Missouri’s borders.