No. 8: Parson overcomes challenge, Amendment 3 approved in historic November election

Missouri voters turned out to the polls on Nov. 3 to pick their candidates for governor and president, as well as weigh in on a controversial redistricting measure.

Incumbent Gov. Mike Parson got the nod over challenger Nicole Galloway, a Democrat who serves as the state auditor.

It was the first gubernatorial election for Parson, who took over in 2018 after the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens, who stepped down during investigations of a sex scandal and misused donor funds.

Galloway challenged Parson, in part, on his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying she would require masks statewide and implement other safety measures if elected governor. Parson has continued to stand firm on his policy of personal responsibility over a mandate.

The presidential election was not called on Election Day. It wasn’t until the weekend when The Associated Press and other media outlets declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner over incumbent President Donald Trump.

While the Electoral College has since confirmed Biden’s win, Trump has not conceded the election, citing allegations of voter fraud.

Missouri voters on Election Day narrowly approved Amendment 3, which gives redistricting responsibility to a bipartisan commission, renames them, and increases membership to 20 by adding four commissioners appointed by the governor from nominations by both Democrats and Republicans.

In play is Missouri’s 197 legislative districts, with representation by 34 senators and 163 members of the House of Representatives.

Proponents and opponents of Amendment 3 have said the new law and the one it’s replacing provide unfair advantages in certain districts.