Missouri Proposition A (2026): What a YES Vote Means
Missouri voters will decide whether to approve the Missouri First Map in November.
A YES vote on Proposition A approves the map and allows Republicans to compete in seven of eight congressional districts. A NO vote rejects House Bill 1 and keeps the 2022 map in place, protecting Democrat incumbents in Kansas City and St. Louis.
The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the referendum onto the ballot on September 3 and ruled that House Bill 1 never took effect. The Court directed the state to use the 2022 congressional districts for the November 3 election.
If voters approve Prop. A, the Missouri First Map will take effect 30 days after the election and govern future congressional elections.
CURRENT STATUS AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2026: Referendum 2026-R004 is on the November ballot under the Missouri Supreme Court’s September 3 order. The 2022 districts must be used for the November election unless a federal court intervenes. The Missouri Supreme Court denied the state’s request to pause its ruling on September 4. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says Missouri will seek emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Quick facts
Ballot measure: Proposition A
Liberty Alliance USA recommendation: Vote YES on Proposition A
Election date: November 3, 2026
What a YES vote does: Approves House Bill 1 and the Missouri First Map
What a NO vote does: Rejects House Bill 1 and keeps the 2022 congressional map
Map for the November election: The 2022 map, unless a federal court intervenes
When House Bill 1 would take effect: Thirty days after the election if voters approve Proposition A
Expected balance under the Missouri First Map: Seven Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district
August primary: Conducted under the Missouri First Map, although the Court later ruled that House Bill 1 never took effect
Campaign opposing the map: People Not Politicians, a liberal PAC
Appeal status: The Missouri Supreme Court denied the state’s stay request on September 4. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says Missouri will seek emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court
What are Missouri voters deciding with Proposition A?
Proposition A asks voters whether House Bill 1 and the Missouri First Map should take effect.
A YES vote approves House Bill 1. The Missouri First Map would take effect 30 days after the election and allow Republicans to compete in seven of eight congressional districts in future elections.
A NO vote rejects House Bill 1 and keeps the 2022 map in place, protecting Democrat incumbents in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Under the Missouri Supreme Court’s current order, Proposition A will not change the districts used in the November 3 election. Missouri must use the 2022 map unless a federal court intervenes.
The official fiscal summary estimates no costs or savings for state or local governments.
Why Liberty Alliance USA recommends a YES vote
Missouri is a conservative state. Our congressional map should reflect our values.
In 2024, President Donald Trump, Governor Mike Kehoe, and Senator Josh Hawley each won by double digits.
The 2022 congressional map unfairly protects Democrat incumbents in Kansas City and St. Louis.
The Missouri First Map maintains the solidly Democratic 1st District in St. Louis. It redraws the Kansas City-based 5th District so conservative voters across western and central Missouri can compete for the seat.
Independent analysis from Inside Elections moved the 5th District from D+23 under the 2022 map to R+17 under the Missouri First Map. Its ratings show seven Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district.
What does the Missouri First Map change?
Missouri still has eight congressional districts. The largest changes are in and around Kansas City.
The 2022 map places most of Kansas City in the heavily Democratic 5th District. The Missouri First Map distributes Kansas City voters among the 4th, 5th, and 6th districts. The redrawn 5th adds Lafayette, Johnson, and Pettis counties and extends east through central Missouri.
The St. Louis-based 1st District remains solidly Democratic. The 5th District moves from D+23 to R+17, while the other six districts remain Republican-leaning. The result is seven Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district.
Kansas City continues to have representation in Congress. Proposition A changes how the city’s voters are grouped with surrounding communities.
Missouri publishes the official statewide map, individual district maps, and GIS files online.
What did the Missouri Supreme Court decide?
On September 3, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the lower court and ordered Proposition A onto the November ballot.
The Court ruled that Missouri’s referendum power applies to House Bill 1. Article III, Section 49 of the Missouri Constitution allows voters to refer any act of the General Assembly unless a stated exception applies. The Court found no exception for congressional redistricting.
Because the referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and filed on time, House Bill 1 was suspended before its scheduled effective date.
“HB 1 did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters.”
The Court ordered Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to certify the petition and place Proposition A on the ballot. It also directed Missouri to use the 2022 congressional districts for the November election and barred the state from using the Missouri First Map in future elections unless voters approve it.
Could the appeal change the November map?
Yes. Missouri is seeking emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway first asked the Missouri Supreme Court to pause its ruling while the state pursued an emergency appeal. The Court denied that request on September 4.
Hanaway argues that changing congressional maps after voters selected nominees in the August primary violates federal law and disenfranchises Missouri voters.
The U.S. Supreme Court could still issue a stay that changes which map Missouri uses in November. Until that happens, Proposition A remains on the ballot and the 2022 congressional map remains in force for the November election.
Who is trying to defeat the Missouri First Map?
People Not Politicians is the liberal PAC behind the referendum campaign.
The group is asking Missourians to vote NO on Proposition A. A NO vote would keep the 2022 map and preserve the Kansas City-based 5th District as a heavily Democratic seat.
How did we get here?
September 2025: The General Assembly passes House Bill 1
Missouri lawmakers approved the Missouri First Map during a special session. Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 1 on September 28.
December 2025: The referendum petition is submitted
People Not Politicians submitted its referendum petition on December 9, two days before House Bill 1 was scheduled to take effect.
August 2026: Missouri holds its primary and rejects the referendum
Missouri conducted its August 4 congressional primary under the Missouri First Map.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the referendum petition after concluding that congressional redistricting could not be referred to voters.
August 19: A circuit judge upholds the rejection
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled that Missouri’s referendum power did not apply to congressional redistricting.
September 3: The Missouri Supreme Court reverses
The Missouri Supreme Court ordered Proposition A onto the ballot and directed the state to use the 2022 congressional districts in November.
September 4: The Court denies a stay
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway asked the Missouri Supreme Court to pause its ruling while the state sought emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court denied that request.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Missouri First Map currently in effect?
No. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that House Bill 1 never took effect because the referendum petition suspended it before its scheduled effective date.
Is Proposition A on the November ballot?
Yes. The Missouri Supreme Court directed the Secretary of State to place Proposition A on the November ballot. A federal court order could still change its status.
Which congressional map will Missouri use in November?
Missouri must use the 2022 congressional map unless a federal court intervenes.
What does a YES vote on Proposition A mean?
A YES vote approves House Bill 1 and the Missouri First Map. The law would take effect 30 days after the election and govern future congressional elections.
What does a NO vote on Proposition A mean?
A NO vote rejects House Bill 1 and keeps the 2022 congressional map in place.
Didn’t Missouri already hold a primary under the Missouri First Map?
Yes. Missouri conducted the August 4 congressional primary under the Missouri First Map. The Missouri Supreme Court later ruled that House Bill 1 never took effect and ordered the state to use the 2022 districts in November.
Does the Missouri First Map guarantee seven Republican members of Congress?
No. It creates seven Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district. Voters decide every race.
Does Kansas City lose representation under the Missouri First Map?
No. Kansas City voters remain represented in Congress.
Does an appeal automatically stop the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling?
No. The Missouri Supreme Court denied the state’s request to pause its ruling on September 4. The ruling remains in force unless a federal court intervenes.
When is Missouri’s general election?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. may cast a ballot.
The choice for Missouri voters
Missouri is a conservative state. Its congressional map should stop protecting a second deep-blue seat.
The courts have put House Bill 1 in the hands of the voters. Now Missourians get the final say.
Vote YES on the Missouri First Map.
Primary sources
- September 3 Missouri Supreme Court opinion in von Glahn v. Hoskins
- Attorney General Hanaway’s statement on seeking U.S. Supreme Court relief
- House Bill 1 and legislative actions
- Secretary of State referendum petition records and official ballot language
- Official Missouri congressional maps and GIS data
- Governor Kehoe signs the Missouri First Map
- Missouri 2024 General Election results