Missouri map fight: Voters deserve a prompt and certified referendum | Opinion

The Editorial Board consists of Derek Donovan, David Hudnall, Toriano Porter, Yvette Walker and Mará Rose Williams.

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins is on the proverbial clock.

This week, the Missouri Supreme Court allowed the so-called “Missouri First Map” backed by the GOP supermajority in Jefferson City to stay in place — at least for now. A pending referendum petition filed by political action committee People Not Politicians Missouri that would place the issue on the Nov. 3 ballot could render the map illegal, if and when Hoskins certifies the petition signatures.

According to Richard von Glahn, the PAC’s executive director, data from Hoskins’ own office confirmed that the campaign collected over 305,000 signatures — more than enough to qualify for the ballot. Under Missouri law, any measure passed by the General Assembly can be overturned by the vote of the people, as could be the case here. Von Glahn challenged Hoskins to certify the petition immediately.

For the sake of democracy and the people’s will to govern themselves, the secretary of state should do just that.

On Tuesday, Hoskins told reporters that the new map would indeed be used for the primary election on Aug. 4.

“I think if we went back to the old maps or to a different map, other than the Missouri First Map, we’d be in disarray,” he said.

We strongly encourage Hoskins to reconsider his position and certify a petition that would allow the people of the state to vote on the new map. The right to order a referendum is not a matter of public opinion, but enshrined in the state constitution. All Missourians must have a say in who will represent them in the nation’s capitol and how the process is done.

Besides, if the petition is sufficient, holding the primary election in August using the new map would make that election illegal, von Glahn said in a statement.

“A sufficient petition suspends the law the day it is turned in,” he said. “Unnecessary delays by politicians do not change this fact. If he continues to delay then he is moving forward under a map that has been suspended by the people.”

Chaos, confusion in Kansas City

On Tuesday, the state’s highest court upheld Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map. In a unanimous decision, the court ruled the map is constitutional and will stand as the midterm elections loom.

In a separate case seeking to suspend the redrawn congressional districts, the state supreme court ruled the new map was suitable for the primary election in August.

As Star reporter Kacen Bayless noted, the two rulings have created chaos and confusion in Kansas City and all over Missouri. We suppose that was the GOP’s intended goal for this highly partisan issue.

Whenever Hoskins gets around to certifying the referendum petition, the public will have a clearer picture of how things will play out in November’s midterm elections. He has until Aug. 4 to do so.

Until then, we’ll try to provide some context on what comes next after the Missouri Supreme Court’s rulings. Here are some key points to remember:

• If Hoskins determines that the campaign has enough signatures and certifies the petition, the new gerrymandered map would be null and void until Missourians have a chance to vote on it, as von Glahn noted.
• Unless he certifies the petition promptly, there is a real possibility that one map could be used in the primary election in August, and another one in November’s general election.
• Keep in mind, legal challenges are sure to follow if the gerrymandered map is used in the August primaries but later blocked because of the certified petition.

Challenge for Emanuel Cleaver’s reelection

Hoskins was correct about one thing, though: The entire redistricting saga has been messy from the very beginning, thanks to one legal challenge after another. So far, the state has prevailed in keeping the redrawn map in place.

Republicans want to use the new map to push longtime 5th District Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City from office.

What the high court basically greenlit this week was a map that would cut Kansas City into three Republican-leaning congressional districts, which could weaken Cleaver’s chances of being reelected. Yet, the incumbent congressman’s continued optimism must be pointed out.

“There is a clear path to victory for my reelection as has been reflected in the more than 305,000 Missourians who joined the citizens-led referendum petition, which I am confident will receive a certificate of sufficiency,” Cleaver said in a statement.

While Cleaver admits that he’s disappointed the second decision did not freeze the gerrymander, he said he’s confident that “in November, our citizens will have the opportunity to vote ‘no’ on this proposed new map and reject the politically driven, heavy-handed gerrymandering that was forced upon our state by the power brokers in Washington, D.C.”

To straighten out this mess, Hoskins must certify the referendum position without delay, if the signatures check out. Missourians must have their say at the ballot box on this very complex issue. The sooner we all know which map is legal, the better.