Organizers in Missouri have launched a significant effort to challenge the state’s recently gerrymandered congressional map. On Tuesday, the group People not Politicians announced that they submitted over 300,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office. This number is nearly triple the amount required to block the map’s implementation and compel a public referendum next year. The Missouri secretary of state, a Republican, will now review these signatures.

In September, Missouri Republicans approved a new congressional map that eliminated the Kansas City-based district of Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, replacing it with a district more favorable to Republicans. This move aligns with a broader political strategy initiated by former President Donald Trump, who has advocated for redrawing congressional districts nationwide ahead of the crucial midterm elections. As it stands, Republicans are projected to face challenges in maintaining their slim majority in Congress.

Similar efforts to redraw congressional maps to favor the GOP have been observed in Texas and North Carolina. In contrast, California has introduced a map that could potentially create up to five additional districts favoring Democrats. This dynamic reflects ongoing debates about government policy and electoral fairness across the nation.

Missouri’s constitution allows voters to repeal legislative acts if organizers can gather sufficient signatures within a specified timeframe. Historically, a significant percentage of measures brought to a referendum have been successfully overturned, highlighting the potential for civic engagement to influence democracy in America.

In response, Republican officials have mounted a vigorous campaign to counter these efforts. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has attempted to invalidate nearly 100,000 signatures, arguing they were collected prematurely. Furthermore, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has initiated legal actions aimed at halting the referendum process.