Missouri’s democracy can withstand mid-decade redistricting | Opinion

In a recent guest commentary for MS NOW, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver decries GOP gerrymandering in Missouri as a distortion of democracy. But rhetoric cannot replace constitutional clarity or judicial process. What some on the far left are choosing to call a power grab is, in fact, the exercise of lawful authority within our constitutional system.

Cleaver claims that the new congressional map is an “illegal redistricting plan” that distorts representation. But this ignores our constitutional text: The U.S. Constitution grants each state’s legislature the authority to determine the “times, places and manner” of congressional elections. Missouri’s elected representatives drafted and passed the legislation, and Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it. That is not only lawful — it is explicit, and the map should stand as passed by Missouri’s General Assembly.

Critics of the map frequently assert that redistricting mid-decade disenfranchises voters. Yet the Missouri Constitution does not explicitly prohibit legislative redistricting between census cycles. That legal question is now squarely before Missouri judges, who are weighing arguments on whether mid-decade redistricting is permissible and when referendum petitions become valid. As with any meaningful constitutional dispute, the courts will decide, not press commentaries and social media posts.

Cleaver cleverly frames the effort as one aimed at diluting urban voices in Kansas City. But commonsense public policy is not required to shield any party or candidate from electoral competition. Even after redistricting, this remains a district where Cleaver can still run, and every candidate has to persuade and win a majority of voters, not simply be handed the seat.

On the core claim that the map silences voices, it’s important to recognize that voters nationwide have always faced changing political landscapes. Every redistricting cycle, including the one in 2021, produced substantial changes. The people’s elected representatives and senators simply exercised power granted by law to draw a map that more accurately reflects modern political geography across Missouri. Moreover, it’s legally and politically appropriate for lawmakers to revisit boundaries when shifts in population or political context suggest a need to ensure districts meet constitutional standards of equal population and practical representation.

Cleaver also suggests that the use of a referendum to challenge the law is a safeguard of democracy. Missouri’s constitution does provide for citizen initiative and referendum on legislative acts, but there is a legitimate legal question whether such a mechanism applies to congressional redistricting. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has argued that a referendum cannot supersede the legislature’s constitutional duty to set congressional districts. Her office has filed actions to defend the legislature’s prerogatives on the grounds that the constitutional design does not authorize a referendum to rewrite or block congressional maps. Cleaver’s assertion that the map is already “illegal” or that courts should intervene immediately to stop its effect misreads both federal and state law.

Finally, it’s worth appreciating that removing one seat from a party, or reshaping districts, is not inherently unconstitutional. The Constitution does not guarantee seats based on past outcomes or party affiliation. Nor does it mandate that urban voters be grouped together purely to protect incumbents. The legitimacy of Missouri’s political process will be upheld only if disputes are resolved through the courts and especially the ballot box, not through claims that constitutional authority somehow evaporates when political fortunes change.

Missouri’s democracy is strong enough to withstand debate and disagreement. But that debate should hinge on facts, legal text and process, not on mischaracterizations that obscure the lawful exercise of legislative authority.

Jeff Coleman represents District 32, including part of Jackson County, in the Missouri House of Representatives and is a financial advisor specializing in retirement income.

This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 5:06 AM.