Missouri’s governor signs gerrymandered map into law

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a new U.S. House map into law Sunday as part ofPresident Trump’s plan to try to hold on toanarrow Republican majority in next year’s midterm elections.

- By Davin A. LIEB

ED ZURGA Associated Press

THE GOP has gained an improved shot at winning one more U.S. House seat. Above, Missouri's Capitol.

Kehoe’s signature puts the redrawn districts into state law with a goal of helping Republicans win one additional seat. But it may not be the final action. Opponents are pursuing a referendum petition that, if successful, would force a statewide vote on the new map. They also have brought several lawsuits against it.

U.S. House districts were redrawn across the country after the 2020 census to account for population changes. But Missouri is the third state this year — following Texas, which then triggered a response from California — to try to redraw its districts for partisan advantage, a process known as gerrymandering.

Republican lawmakers in Texas passed a new U.S. House map last month aimed at helping their party win five additional seats. Democratic lawmakers in California countered with their own redistricting plan aimed at winning five more seats, though it still needs voter approval. Other states also are considering redistricting.