With Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature still Deadlocked on Redistricting, the State now faces Lawsuits in both Federal and State Court, asking the Judiciary to Intervene and Order a New Congressional House Map before this summer's Primary Election.
Congressional Candidate Paul Berry III (R-2nd District), who filed the latest Lawsuit in Federal Court, said Wednesday, that the continued uncertainty over Missouri's U.S. House Districts is affecting his ability to Campaign.
“There’s no way that I can do a poll on a district that doesn’t have boundaries,” Berry said. “What door do I knock on? How do I take the limited amount of resources and campaign when I could be knocking on a door or targeting a voter that’s not even in my district?”
Though Republicans Control the Missouri House, Senate, and Governor’s Office, they have been unable to agree on a Final Plan to Redraw the State’s Eight U.S. House Districts based on the 2020 Census.
Missouri is the only State Not to have at least passed their First Redistricting plan.
The Missouri House and Senate, each Approved separate Congressional Redistricting Plans earlier this year. But the House voted Down the Senate Plan, and the Senate has Refused to convene a Joint Conference Committee to formally Negotiate a Compromise.
Missouri Republicans are at odds over how Aggressively to draw Districts in the GOP’s favor, and over which Communities to Split while Equalizing District Populations.
One Sticking point is how to shape the 2nd District in suburban St. Louis, which is the State's most Competitive Seat. Berry is One of Three Republicans Challenging Rep. Ann Wagner (R) in that District. She also faces several Democratic Opponents, and a Libertarian Candidate.
State Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-15th District), who authored the Senate's Redistricting Plan, said Wednesday, that he met with House Speaker Rob Vescovo (112th District) regarding Redistricting but that the Two Chambers remain “pretty far apart.”
“I think it’s probably headed toward the direction of not getting a map passed," said Koenig from St. Louis County.
Lawmakers face a May 13th Deadline to pass Legislation during their Annual Session.
Hearings on the Redistricting Lawsuits have been Scheduled for May 9th in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. and May 23rd in the State's Cole County Circuit Court.
All the Lawsuits contend it's Unconstitutional for Missouri to hold its Aug. 2nd Primary using Districts based on the 2010 Census, because they No longer have Equal Populations. Berry's Lawsuit ask a Court to Order a New Map.
A State Lawsuit backed by Democrats, asks a Judge to adopt a New U.S. House Map, while a Rival State Lawsuit by Republicans asks a Judge to Order the Legislature to adopt a New Plan, and to Reopen Candidate Filing.
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