GOP derails bid to stop Missouri gerrymander for 2026

[RandySF]

In a bruising blow to direct democracy, a court has ruled that Republican leaders in Missouri can use a new, gerrymandered congressional map in the 2026 midterms before voters weigh in on the plan.

Beyond giving the GOP an advantage in the upcoming election, Friday’s ruling from Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe will allow Republicans to blatantly sidestep Missourians’ right under the state constitution to have the final say on laws approved by the legislature through a so-called “veto referendum.”

And it raises a fundamental question: Do Missouri voters’ constitutional rights actually mean anything if Republican officials aren’t willing to enforce them?

Stumpe’s dismissal will likely be appealed to the Western District. But with election deadlines rapidly approaching on Mar. 31, the ruling has likely killed attempts to stop Republicans from imposing the new map for the midterms.



https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/gop-derails-bid-to-stop-missouri-gerrymander-for-2026/

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. IIRC, the gerrymandering *might* net republicans a single additional seat

That’s not going to save them from the Blue Tsunami in November.

Dems are projected to pick up a minimum of 20-30 seats, some projections go as high as 40-50 seats.

Dems only need to flip three seats to gain the majority.

(Note: in 2018, when things weren’t half as bad, Dems picked up 40 seats)

[Grown2Hate]

2. If there is no fuckery with access to voting, I believe you're SPOT on.

We're seeing SIGNIFICANT victories all over the country in special elections even in Tr*mp areas. And the gerrymandering might backfire spectacularly. They have to soften support in DEEP red districts to increase support in other districts. If it truly is a tsunami, they might have shot themselves in the foot with all of the gerrymandering in various areas this year. Here's hoping!

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. I think it's likely we will see some red districts weakened by gerrymandering flip blue

Particularly in TX, maybe UT or FL.

They had to shift votes from somewhere, robbing Peter to pay Paul, as it were…