Today, Friday September 12th, the 2nd special session ended with our Republican-led senate passing both the redrawn congressional map and a ballot measure on initiative petition reform.
Earlier this week, I expressed my frustration with the process of how this came to be. My feelings about the process remain the same. However, the process and the legislation itself are separate issues.
The Map
After much examination of the data on the proposed map it was clear that in most regards it is more compact compared to the map we currently have. Also, there are less counties split into different districts. My choice to vote in favor of the new map was based on comparing the two maps and their corresponding data.
The conservatives in the senate fought to pass a 7-1 map in 2022, but they were unable to accomplish their goal. Although I would've preferred the Republicans pass a 7-1 map at that time, just after the census, I had to make a choice between the two maps I was given. I believe the new 7-1 map is better suited to represent Missouri as a whole, so I voted in support. HB 1 passed with a final vote of 21-11.
The Democrats spoke on the bill and expressed their opinions about the legislation as well as the function of the senate for around 4 1/2 hours. It was clear, though, that the bill was going to pass regardless how many hours were spent in a filibuster and keeping the legislature in special session means taxpayer dollars are spent needlessly. The republicans gathered the needed signatures for the previous question (PQ) motion to stop the filibuster and they had more than enough votes to approve both the PQ motion and pass the bill.
You can see the new congressional map below.
IP Reform Going to the Ballot Box
After the map passed, HJR 3 was offered which is a resolution (not a statutory change) that changes the ratification requirements for amendments to our state constitution via initiative petition and will make a few other adjustments to that process as well, IF it passes at the ballot box.
My vote in support of HJR 3 was a vote to allow Missouri voters to decide how they want the Missouri Constitution to be changed. This ballot measure proposes that it would require a majority vote in each of the 8 congressional districts to approve an amendment before it can be added to the constitution. It only applies to the initiative petitions, not measures referred by the legislature such as HJR 3.
HJR 3 passed with a vote of 21-11 and will be at the ballot box in 2026.
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