Missouri Voters Kill GOP Map as States Rewrite Election Rules

Missouri rejects new congressional map

Missourians rejected a GOP congressional map 62% to 38% and protected their initiative power, Maryland cleared the way for a new map, and Virginia restored voting rights to people with felony convictions once they leave prison. Missouri's Republican lawmakers rushed a new congressional map through in 2025. Voters rejected it 62% to 38%, which means the map can't be used in the 2028 elections, according to the State Court Report.

Missourians also voted to bar lawmakers from repealing or changing any voter-approved initiative without 80% approval in both legislative chambers plus voter approval. And 55% rejected a legislative amendment that would have repealed the abortion-rights amendment voters passed in 2024.

Maryland and Colorado

Maryland voters approved a Democratic-backed constitutional amendment that paves the way for a new congressional map. In Colorado, a conservative-backed amendment that would make it harder to redraw congressional maps before 2028 was still too close to call Wednesday afternoon, with "No" leading at more than 53%, per the State Court Report. Plank News won't call it until a reliable source does.

Voting rights: wins and losses

Virginia amended its constitution so people convicted of a felony can vote once they're out of prison. Massachusetts approved same-day voter registration. California rejected a Republican-backed voter ID requirement at the polls, and Colorado voters, by more than 63%, rejected requiring part of a Social Security or driver's license number on mail ballots. But Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio approved voter ID amendments to their constitutions. Alaska voters appeared likely to reject repealing ranked-choice voting, though that result isn't final.

Protecting the power of the petition

Montana added constitutional protection for the right to propose ballot measures and referendums. North Dakota and South Dakota rejected raising the threshold for future amendments to 60%, and more than 60% of Utah voters rejected requiring 60% approval for certain tax changes.

Money in politics

Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved the "money out of politics" proposal, which bans campaign contributions from certain government contractors; a federal lawsuit is challenging it. Montana approved, with 65% of the vote, a ban on corporations, nonprofits and unions contributing to campaigns.

For full measure-by-measure results, see Ballotpedia's tracker.