Missouri redistricting

If Missouri Republicans revamp their map to oust Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, it could backfire at the ballot box – and in court.

The majority opinion, written by Judge Kelly Broniec, recognized that redistricting is a political process and courts should be reluctant to interfere with it.

Residents of two districts — including one that emcompasses Hazelwood — are appealing a trial court ruling that the Missouri Constitution allows counties and cities to be split between districts if other rules are met.

The decision means the lines for five Missouri Senate districts, including those in St. Louis County, will remain unchanged as candidates look ahead to 2024 elections.

A lawsuit in Cole County alleges splits in Hazelwood and in Buchanan County violate constitutional restriction that maps have fewest possible splits of cities and counties.

Republicans are in no danger of losing their legislative majorities in Missouri. Yet despite tough political headwinds, Democrats hope a new map that created more competitive districts will help them pick up seats.

Filed by attorney Chuck Hatfield on behalf of three plaintiffs, the lawsuit names the Judicial Redistricting Commission and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft as defendants. The commission created the map and Ashcroft implemented it for this year’s elections.

A Missouri Supreme Court decision from 2012 could provide foes of the congressional map signed by Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday with an uphill battle.

Fights among Republicans dominated the 2022 Missouri General Assembly session and are a key part of the latest Politically Speaking mailbag of listener questions.

A group of senators used a rarely seen parliamentary maneuver to send a 6-2 Republican majority congressional map to the Missouri House.