Initiative Petitions

Missouri senators are expected to debate and then vote Friday on redistricting that seeks to oust Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver as well as a plan to make it harder to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments.

The plan requires constitutional amendments placed before voters through the initiative petition process to pass in a statewide vote and in all eight of Missouri’s congressional districts.

Missouri Democrats have accused their GOP colleagues of kowtowing to President Donald Trump, who is pressuring Republican-led states to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

A vote in the full state House of Representatives could come as early as Monday. The changes also would need the approval of the Senate and voters to take effect.

Members of the Missouri House are slated to hold committee hearings on the new map, which aims to oust Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, and limiting amendments on Thursday.

Democratic state Sen. Patty Lewis of Kansas City says a special session on congressional redistricting could backfire on Republicans in a number of ways.

Missouri Republicans have made multiple attempts in recent years to raise the approval percentage a proposed constitutional amendment needs in order to pass.

Missourians have backed ballot items supported by Democrats in the past decade while also giving Republicans unfettered control over state government.

Missouri Supreme Court judges overturned Cole County Judge Christopher Limbaugh’s decision to remove the proposed constitutional amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot.

A circuit court ruling Friday put a constitutional amendment that would repeal the state’s abortion ban at risk of not being on the November ballot.