Letter to the Editor: Voters should have the final say on redistricting

Dear editor,

The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri strongly believes that voters in southwest Missouri should be deeply concerned about the unjust redistricting map passed by the Missouri Legislature during the special session in September 2025. This action is an attempt by the Republican majority in the Missouri Legislature to create congressional districts favorable to Republican candidates. To put it plainly: Missouri politicians sliced up communities to pick their voters.

The League of Women Voters believes voters should pick their politicians. We are adamantly opposed to any attempt to strip any voters of their collective power in Missouri. Passing this redistricting map during a September special session was not only unprecedented – it was a blatant attack on our democratic process.

Our position on redistricting is clear: Redistricting at all levels of government must be accomplished in an open, unbiased manner with citizen participation and access to all levels and steps in the process.

The League of Women Voters opposes partisan gerrymandering by any party. We are deeply disappointed by the actions of our elected officials, who rushed a redistricting map through the legislature in less than one week without adequate public input or consideration of voter participation. We proudly support the submission of more than 305,000 signatures to the Missouri secretary of state through the People Not Politicians campaign, which seeks to place this gerrymandered map on the ballot so voters can have the final say.

The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri is dedicated to encouraging informed and active participation in government. That commitment is exactly why we support the citizens’ veto referendum process and believe our elected officials must respect it. The referendum is a powerful tool unique to Missouri that places voters at the center of our democracy.

The Missouri Constitution is clear: “Any measure referred to the people shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon, and not otherwise.”

We call on Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway to uphold the Missouri Constitution and pause implementation of this map until the signatures are validated and voters have had their say.

If we do not have integrity in our electoral process, we have nothing. Missourians’ voices must – and deserve to – be heard. We urge you to add your name to the petition calling on Hoskins and Hannaway to follow the Missouri Constitution and respect the will of the people, the bedrock of our state’s democracy.

—Liz Wertz and Sandy Michaels, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri