Missourians are loud and clear: Don’t gerrymander our congressional maps | Opinion

In my two decades of work in Missouri politics, I have come to realize that more often than not the people elected into office don’t know and certainly don’t act in accordance with Missouri’s state motto: “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.” Instead, they fully embrace the idea that they are somehow above the people, more enlightened and more deserving of power than us average citizens.

In recent Kansas City Star guest commentary, Missouri state Rep. Jeff Coleman echoes this sentiment. He argues that politicians have the right to grab more power for themselves by manipulating congressional maps, and ignoring constitutional law and legal precedent with the referendum process. But, what he doesn’t address in his piece is the most important consideration of all: Whom does it serve?

Politicians picking their voters, instead of voters picking their politicians, serves political incumbents and insiders, not you and me. I don’t care if you are a Republican or Democrat, or if you live in rural Missouri or one of our metropolitan areas. You should be able to hold your elected officials accountable. Gerrymandering makes that impossible.

Rep. Coleman got one thing right in his piece: Corrupt politicians do have the right to propose such terrible ideas. They can even pass the law in the face of one of the largest protests in the history of the state, just like they did last September. That is why our ancestors in Missouri were so wise to place the referendum power in our state constitution — to protect us from self-interested politicians.

The Missouri Constitution is clear: Any act, including a bill changing the congressional districts, is subject to the referendum. Rep. Coleman suggests this is a disputed fact, but it really isn’t. The case brought by the attorney general was dismissed by a Donald Trump-appointed judge, and the underlying legal theory has been rejected by the current Trump aligned U.S. Supreme Court.

The people of Missouri decided we don’t like this idea. In less than 90 days we gathered and submitted nearly 305,000 signatures — almost three times the amount required — to suspend the law pending our approval or disapproval of it. This strategy isn’t novel. Missourians did the same thing when politicians attempted a partisan gerrymander in 1922. Spoiler alert: Voters overwhelmingly rejected the law at the polls.

Right-wing internet activist Gregg Keller at least had the decency to state the obvious when he posted in social media: “My view: by hook or by crook, the new congressional district map passed by (Missouri Republicans) is going to stick.” He dispensed with articulating any legal theory that justifies it or that it is somehow good for the people of Missouri. Politics can be a dirty game, and some people believe the ends justifies the means. Rep. Coleman should spare us the pageantry and just admit he believes the same.

We have seen and will continue to see attempts by our elected officials to delay resolution of court cases that they are likely to lose. As the attorney general said, ““As long as the status quo is the new maps, delay works in our favor.” They will do everything they can to sow confusion and chaos, so long as it serves them. I am hopeful our courts will put a stop to it, sooner rather than later. But, as we wait, I remain optimistic.

In the fight for whom our democracy belongs to and who, it should empower, Missourians are being asked to pick a side: our community or political insiders and politicians. I’m confident voters will choose wisely this November.

Richard Von Glahn is campaign director for the political action committee People Not Politicians Missouri.