We all know the US Congressional maps are up for debate in the Missouri Senate this week. Those of us who prefer our representation in D.C. remain a reflection of our conservative values would expect our Republican majority to create a congressional map which would protect our current Republican seats.
Gaining a seat would be even better but potentially losing a seat in a weak 6-2 map is not acceptable.
One has to ask, "If we have a Republican majority, WHY in the world is this even a debate? WHY would our Republican led assembly vote for a weak 6-2 map?"
5 lies about redistricting
LIE #1: If we don't come to an agreement and decide, the courts will do it for us. The judges are liberal and that would be worse than our weak 6-2 map.
TRUTH: According to the Missouri Constitution, the map rendering and decision making in regard to the congressional district map is the responsibility of the General Assembly, not the court system. When it is taken to court, as we can expect it will be regardless of what map that is created, the court will deem it to be unconstitutional or not but they will not draw a new Congressional map. They will kick it back to the General Assembly for them to fulfill their responsibility.
Note: This is different than how the Missouri House and Senate district maps are handled.
US District Court, W.D. Missouri, Central Division
Mar 4, 1968
279 F. Supp. 952 (W.D. Mo. 1968)
observing that when S 2c became law, the court "was relieved of the prior existing Congressional command [under S 2a(c)] to order that the 1968...congressional elections in Missouri be held at large..."were the Missouri Legislature to fail to enact a valid reapportionment statute in time"
Lie #2: February 22, 2022, is the filing date so if the map isn't settled by then, the court will draw up a map for us.
TRUTH: Campaign filing begins on February 22nd and runs through March 29th but it has nothing to do with the drawing of the map. See above. The General Assembly HAS to draw the map. If they don't agree on something in time for filing of the primaries, congressional elections will be held "at large." Of course, this isn't ideal, but it still does NOT mean that the court is going to draw up the map.
Lie #3: Secretary of State Ashcroft doesn't support a 7-1 map. He's ok with a 6-2 map.
TRUTH: Yes, the Secretary does support a 7-1 map and he's speaking out in regard to his opinion. Would he be "ok" with a 6-2 map? Well, common sense would tell you he'd be happier with a strong 6-2 than a weak one and he is definitely NOT ok with a 5-3. If you want to hear what he has to say about it, come on over to the Capitol around 11:00 am on Monday.
If you can't come to the Capitol, you might want to check this out on the SOS FB Page.
Secretary Ashcroft will talk about Missouri elections, redistricting, faith & freedom with Key Radio’s Kevin Burns Monday morning at 9:10. https://www.keygatheringplace.com/KeyRadio
And if neither of those work out for you, here's a quote from the News Tribune taken from an article dated January 11, 2022.
That includes Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who came out publicly for a 7-1 map late last year and has been vigorously lobbying lawmakers on the idea since the 2022 session began last week.
Lie #4: If we approve a 7-1 map, then Eric Holder and his redistricting committee with lots of money and power will say we're racist and sue us.
TRUTH: This might happen. It doesn't mean we are racist if they sue us. The map is likely going to get taken to court regardless of what is approved. Let's see what the court has to say.
It is interesting, though, speaking of discrimination, that 5 women were drawn out of their state districts in this process... ah, but I digress. That's a conversation for a different day.
Lie #5: Districts have to be equal "in exact person to person count."
TRUTH: SCOTUS says no. There can be an amount of deviation, which is actually a few thousand people AND the total state population can also be used to comply.
SCOTUS Rulings
Weberry v Sanders, 84 S. Ct ;526 (1964) Districts must be drawn so that "as nearly practicable one man's vote in a congressional election is worth as mch as another's."
Gaffney v. Cummings, 93 S Ct, 2321 (1973). SCOTUS found no issue with the deviation in Connecticut's map where there was 1.81% in the Senate and 7.83% in the House.
Evenwell v. Abbott, 136 S. Ct. 1120 (2016). States may use total population to comply with the concept of one person, one vote.
ok. I'm on board with the 7-1. now what
Call and email every Republican Senator who hasn't committed to support a7-1 map and request their support and vote.
Here are their names & contact info.
Dave Schatz at 573-751-3678 and/or Dave.Schatz@senate.mo.gov
Caleb Rowden at 573-751-3931 and/or Caleb.Rowden@senate.mo.gov
Karla Eslinger at 573-751-1882 and/or Karla.Eslinger@senate.mo.gov
Lincoln Hough at 573-751-2583 and/or Lincoln.Hough@senate.mo.gov
Elaine Gannon at 573-751-4008 and/or Elaine.Gannon@senate.mo.gov
Mike Bernskoetter 573-751-2076 and/or Mike.Bernskoetter@senate.mo.gov
Mike Cierpiot at 573-751-1464 and/or Mike.Cierpiot@senate.mo.gov
Jeanie Riddle at 573-751-2757 and/or Jeanie.Riddle@senate.mo.gov
Dan Hegeman at 573-751-1415 and/or Dan.Hegeman@senate.mo.gov
Justin Brown at 573-751-5713 and/or Justin.Brown@senate.mo.gov
Cindy O'Laughlin at 573-751-7985 and/or Cindy.O'Laughlin@senate.mo.gov
Paul Wieland at 573-751-1492 and/or Paul.Wieland@senate.mo.gov
Jason Bean at 573-751-4843 and/or Jason.Bean@senate.mo.gov
Holly Rehder at 573-751-2459 and/or Holly.Rehder@senate.mo.gov
Sandy Crawford at 573-751-8793 and/or Sandy.Crawford@senate.mo.gov
Bill White at 573-751-2173 and/o rBill.White@senate.mo.gov
Tony Luetkemeyer at 573-751-2183 and/or Tony.Luetkemeyer@senate.mo.gov
-Joshua (MoRINOwatch.com)