No news to LWV members that democracy is under attack. We awaken every morning to an onslaught of calls to action which seem at times as though we are tilting at windmills. During these times, with threats to the ability to register voters, with efforts to make voter registration nearly impossible for key constituencies, and a legislature intent on repealing state Constitutional amendments approved by a majority of voters, we must stay focused on our mission: to defend democracy and educate voters.

At any moment, Missouri’s governor may call a special session for mid-cycle redistricting. By Missouri law, he must give only 72 hours’ notice to legislators to convene to conduct very specific business. In this case, he would be joining other Republican states to heed the order from President Trump which begins in Texas, where he said Republicans are “entitled to five more seats.”

Missouri has eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The plan is to redraw maps to eliminate the seat held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City’s 5th Congressional District, making a total of 7 Republican-controlled seats. For context, Missouri currently has 46.8% registered Republicans. Although redistricting is now illegal under the Missouri Constitution, the threat is very real, and is another threat to democracy which we are called to defend.

The League of Women Voters voted nationally on a position on mid-cycle redistricting in 2016. The complete position is available on the LWVUS website. To summarize, we stand as a League against mid-cycle redistricting because “it threatens fairness and stability in our democracy.” The League’s fight is to ensure that the redistricting fights represent voters, not politicians or parties.

We are called to action throughout our state.

• Attend hearings
• Submit public comments
• Join advocacy efforts

LWVUS has drafted a template for a redistricting letter to the editor that you may send as an individual.  For more background about both the history and the legality of mid-cycle redistricting, this Congressional Research Service article on the subject is enlightening. 

Planning is underway for protests in Jefferson City and throughout the state. Stay informed and do your part to educate voters.