Controversial Mo. congressional map faces opposition
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Governor Mike Kehoe has called a special session of the Missouri legislature to approve a controversial new congressional map that divides Kansas City's 5th District into three Republican-leaning districts.
The redistricting effort, which follows the Missouri Constitution's requirement for changes after each census, has sparked significant debate. The new map stretches the 5th District from the Missouri-Kansas border in Kansas City nearly to Hermann, Missouri, a distance of about 200 miles. This change has prompted concerns among opponents who believe St. Louis will play a critical role in challenging the map.
Governor Kehoe stated that the new map is legal and provides a 'truer' representation of Missouri compared to the map approved by Republican state lawmakers three years ago.
Over the weekend, approximately 150 people attended a training session, joining more than two thousand volunteers across the state in an initiative petition drive opposing the new map. The effort reflects widespread concern over the potential political implications of the redistricting, particularly in traditionally Democratic areas like Kansas City's 5th District.
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