In November, Missouri voters will decide on a referendum against the redistricted state congressional map that was passed under HB 1.
On Sept. 3, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the referendum will appear on the ballot after nine months of litigation. Under the Supreme Court order, the HB 1 map cannot be used in the 2026 elections. Instead, the Nov. 2026 election will use the map used in the 2024 election, which was enacted in 2022.
The referendum targets the redistricting map; HB 1 redrew the state's eight congressional districts. HB 1 divides Kansas City, Missouri, between three congressional districts. Currently, most of Kansas City was within the 5th Congressional District, which Emanuel Cleaver (D) represented. Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed HB 1 on Sept. 28, 2025, and it was in effect during the statewide elections on August 4, 2026.
