The Missouri House gave lukewarm approval Wednesday, to a Plan for Redrawing the State's Eight Congressional Districts, that left both Democrats and some Conservative Republicans unhappy and could upend the State's Calendar for holding its Primary Election.
The Plan, which received barely enough Votes to pass, is projected to keep the State's current Political split of Six Republicans and Two Democrats in the U.S. House. But it Failed to receive enough Votes to take effect before the State's Aug. 2 Primary, raising the potential that the Election could be Delayed or that District Boundaries could change in the Middle of the Campaign season.
The Redistricting Legislation now goes to the Senate, where some Conservative Republicans are already vowing to push for a Map that would give the GOP a chance at winning Seven Districts.
“We all know there is going to be a war on the other side of the building — there are going to be compromises made,” said State Rep. Jim Murphy (R-94th District, St. Louis) who urged Colleagues to pass a Plan to at least keep the process going.
The action in the Missouri Legislature on Congressional Redistricting came on the same day that a separate Bipartisan Citizens Commission gave Final approval to a Plan for Redrawing Missouri's 163 State House Districts. It marked the First time since 1991, that the Commission agreed on a State House Redistricting Plan.
Commissioner Harvey Ferdman (D) said the Panel "brought honor to our flag today, showing that we can cooperate, we can get things done, we can negotiate, we can compromise.”
Republicans won 114 of the 163 State House Seats in the last General Election.
The Missouri Democratic Party, said Wednesday, that the New Districts approved by the Commission create the potential for Democratic gains.
The new Map boosts the Number of Districts carried by President Biden in the 2020 Election, Increases the number of Politically Competitive Districts and also adds Majority Black and Latino Districts, Democrats said.
A separate Bipartisan Citizens Commission, charged with Redistricting the State's 34 Senate Seats, Failed to agree on a Plan after devolving into Partisan camps last month. That Map likely will have to be drawn by a Panel of Judges.
Some Conservative Republicans in Missouri, want to take Split-Up a Kansas City area District held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-5h District) and pairing the Urban Residents with Republican-leaning Rural Residents.
Though the proposed Map passed by the House is projected to Retain a 6-2 Republican edge, the Republican Margins in the Second District in Suburban St. Louis, are Not as high as some Republicans prefer. Some Conservatives argue the Second District could potentially flip to Democrats over the course of a Decade.
The Map approved by the State House is “completely out of step with the values and perspectives of the people of this state,” said State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-23rd District, St. Charles County) who is part of that Chamber's Conservative Caucus.
Democrats also contend the Map doesn't reflect Missouri, but for the Opposite reason. They were upset that House Republicans Rejected their Amendments to shore up a heavily Democratic District in St. Louis, with even more Minority Voters and to Exclude some Republican-leaning Suburbs from the Kansas City-based District.
The House passed the Redistricting Legislation by an 86-67 vote, just Four more than needed for Passage.
A subsequent Vote to ensure the Bill would take effect Immediately upon the Governor's Signature Failed on a 95-55 vote, falling 14 Votes short of the necessary Two-Thirds Majority.
Without an Emergency Provision, the Redistricting Legislation would take effect Aug. 28, almost Four weeks after the Primary Election.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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