Missouri group submits nearly three times as many signatures as needed for gerrymander repeal vote

People Not Politicians Missouri has submitted more than 300,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office for the referendum to remove the Republican-drawn congressional map from the 2026 midterms.

According to a press conference on Tuesday, the organization far-exceeded the minimum 107,000 signatures needed to place the map on the 2026 ballot for voter approval. The new map would gerrymander Missouri even further — and likely eliminate one of the two seats held by Democratic congressmen in the state. After a special legislative session, Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed the map into law in September, which kicked off the petition process.

“The citizens of Missouri have spoken loudly and clearly: they deserve fair maps, not partisan manipulation,” said Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians. “We are submitting a record number of signatures to shut down any doubt that Missouri voters want a say.”

The signature verification process, which will be overseen by Secretary of State Denny Heskins (R), could last several months. 

The submission came a day after a federal judge tossed out an effort from Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R) to block the statewide vote on the new map. The Missouri GOP has also written confusing ballot language, involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement and garnered thousands from outside groups in their effort to subvert the will of Missouri voters.