Proposition A: 2025 congressional map referendumReferendum on the 2025 congressional map (House Bill 1)
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page
In plain words
In 2025 lawmakers passed a new map of Missouri's 8 U.S. House districts (House Bill 1). It splits Kansas City among three districts and makes the Kansas City-based 5th District lean Republican. Citizens gathered signatures to force a public vote, and courts put the new map on hold until voters decide. A yes vote approves the 2025 map; a no vote keeps the 2022 map. (kcur.org )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If YES wins | If NO wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map for the Nov. 3, 2026 U.S. House races | 2022 map (court order) | 2022 map (no change this year) | 2022 map |
| Map for later elections | On hold | 2025 map (House Bill 1) | 2022 map |
| Kansas City | Mostly in the 5th District | Split among three districts | Mostly in the 5th District |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (kcur.org )
Biggest change
- A yes vote approves the 2025 map (House Bill 1). A no vote keeps the 2022 boundaries. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- Under the 2025 map, the 5th District would stretch from Troost Avenue in Kansas City nearly 200 miles east, mixing city neighborhoods with rural areas. source: kcur.org
Who it affects most: Voters in the Kansas City area, whose U.S. House district would change most under the 2025 map.
Cost to the state: State and local governments estimate no costs or savings. No effect on taxes.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The 2025 congressional map is approved and used in future elections, splitting Kansas City among three districts.
The 2025 map is rejected and the 2022 congressional map stays in place.
Our one-line summary. Missouri does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes a state law, which lawmakers can later change. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Republican lawmakers passed the map in a 2025 special session at President Donald Trump's urging. People Not Politicians turned in about 305,000 signatures in December 2025 to force a referendum; Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition. source: kcur.org
- The 2025 map was used in the Aug. 4, 2026 primary. On Sept. 3, 2026 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled redistricting laws can be put to a referendum and that the map cannot take effect until voters decide. source: kcur.org
- On Sept. 25, 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court refused to let Missouri use the 2025 map, saying "At this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos." source: scrippsnews.com
Conflicts with another measure
- KCTV5 reports that if Amendment 6 also passes, changing the map voters choose here would take 80% of both chambers of the Legislature. source: kctv5.com
Why supporters want it
- Gov. Mike Kehoe supports it, calling it "the map that represents what a constitutional congressional map should look like the best." source: kctv5.com
- U.S. Rep. Mark Alford: "I support the Missouri First map." The Missouri Republican State Committee passed a resolution backing a yes vote. source: kcur.org
- The official ballot title says the new boundaries "keep more counties intact." source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- People Not Politicians, which ran the referendum petition, is urging voters who oppose the map to vote no. Director Richard von Glahn says the heavy spending by the map's supporters suggests they expect voters to reject it. source: kcur.org
- Von Glahn on the court rulings: "The law is the law, the Missouri constitution is clear as was the Missouri Supreme Court." source: ajc.com
Who backs each side
- For (yes): Put Missouri First, the committee formed to fight the referendum, had spent $2.9 million overall (mostly on the petition fight and court cases) and reported less than $20,000 in donations since June 30, 2026; the Missouri Republican Party. source: kcur.org
- Against (no): People Not Politicians, which had bought almost $800,000 in TV ads through Election Day. source: kcur.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot measure list .
Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled “House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),” which repeals Missouri’s existing congressional plan, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more counties intact? State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
YES
NO
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's 2026 ballot measures page (official ballot title). Your sample ballot is the final word.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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Full text of the measure
Read it in the Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page , or on the Legislature's page for Referendum petition 2026-R004 on House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measures (official ballot titles and fair ballot language)
- KCUR: Proposition A explained
- Scripps News: U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Sept. 25, 2026
- KCUR: campaigns on Amendment 6 and Proposition A
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.