WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee (RNC) secured a major victory in Missouri after a state judge shut down far-left Democrats' latest scheme to redraw the congressional map through the referendum process. The ruling keeps Missouri's GOP-backed map in place for November's midterm elections and reinforces the Legislature's authority over congressional redistricting.
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Judge blocks referendum on gerrymandered Missouri redistricting plan
Missouri Independent
August 19, 2026
"The Missouri Constitution’s provisions allowing a referendum on “any act” of the Legislature do not extend that power to laws establishing congressional districts, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled Wednesday afternoon.
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The Republican National Committee issued a statement after the ruling that called it a big defeat for Democrats.
“This is a resounding victory for Missouri voters and election integrity,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in the news release. “The court rejected Democrats’ latest scheme to overturn lawful congressional maps and create chaos ahead of the election. Missouri’s maps were fairly enacted by the legislature, upheld in court, and used in this year’s primary election. Today’s ruling makes clear those maps will stand.”
During the trial, attorney John Gore, representing the Republican National Committee, the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee and the Missouri Republican State Committee, said the People Not Politicians referendum, if allowed, would disenfranchise the voters who participated in those primaries.
“It’s difficult to imagine any kind of judicial order that would cause more widespread voter confusion or erosion in confidence in the integrity of this state’s elections than the relief plaintiff seeks,” Gore said..."
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