Grassroots Campaign Seeks to Repeal Gerrymandering by Missouri Republicans: ‘This is Not Right’
A Local Campaign Against Gerrymandering in Missouri
As the political landscape in the United States continues to shift, election reform efforts have become increasingly vital. In Missouri, a grassroots campaign led by a local activist is challenging newly drawn congressional maps that many believe threaten democratic integrity in the state.
The Local Advocate
Jill Imbler, a 69-year-old lifelong resident of Moberly, Missouri—a town of approximately 14,000—has taken on the challenge of collecting signatures to repeal a recent congressional map passed by Republican lawmakers. Unlike many canvassers who use data to strategize their outreach, Imbler relies on her deep familiarity with her community, knowing local residents personally and understanding their views on political issues.
Imbler serves as the President of the Randolph County Democrat Club. Despite her Democratic affiliation, she operates in a region that has shown strong support for Republican candidates, including Donald Trump, who won by over 50 points in the last three elections.
Political Maneuvering in the Show-Me State
In September, Missouri Republican leaders, at Trump’s urging, convened a special session to alter congressional districts, enhancing Republican representation at the expense of longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. This redistricting aligns with a broader national strategy by Republicans to maximize their seats in anticipation of the 2026 midterms.
What sets Missouri apart is a constitutional provision from 1908 allowing voters to pause newly enacted laws through a referendum if enough signatures are gathered. Historically, Missourians have successfully employed this “citizen veto” mechanism with about a two dozen successful attempts.
A Call to Action
Imbler and her team are racing against a December 11 deadline to collect over 106,000 signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts. Their efforts have garnered more than 200,000 signatures so far. Richard Von Glahn, executive director of the grassroots organization People Not Politicians, emphasizes the importance of this initiative: “If we turn in the signatures, the map will be put on hold,” he stated.
This grassroots effort is under scrutiny amid a fierce redistricting battle that could determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives. While Republicans maintain a narrow three-seat majority, they have aggressively redrawn maps in several states to bolster their positions, prompting Democrats to counter with their own strategic revisions in states like California and Virginia.
The Campaign’s Momentum
Imbler’s story embodies public engagement in democracy. Over coffee at a local café, she expressed her frustration at the weakening of voter protections and the recent political trends in Missouri. “I realized, ‘Wait a minute, we don’t have the final say,’” she recalled. “It made me angry—this isn’t right.”
As she canvassed various neighborhoods, Imbler found that many community members shared her concerns about gerrymandering. “People are aware that redistricting is being used to manipulate electoral outcomes,” one resident commented as they signed her petition. Imbler highlighted that typically, redistricting occurs after a census, and this abrupt change raises questions about transparency and fairness.
Resistance and Challenges
Notably, Republican officials are mobilizing against this citizen-led initiative. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins is taking steps to invalidate many signatures, while a group associated with the Republican National Committee is actively urging residents to withdraw their support for the referendum.
Adding to the complexities, the Missouri Attorney General has filed a lawsuit claiming the state legislature holds exclusive authority over congressional redistricting, thus undermining the citizen veto process. The stakes are high, with substantial financial resources backing both sides—reportedly exceeding $7 million.
