The NPR Politics Podcast The NPR Politics Podcast

Missouri's map mayhem

Sep 14, 2026 · 18m

Summary

NPR Politics Podcast hosts Tamar Keith and Miles Parks, joined by St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, discuss the chaotic legal battle over Missouri’s congressional redistricting. They detail how a voter referendum and Supreme Court ruling invalidated the 2025 maps, reverting the state to 2022 district lines for the upcoming general election. The episode also covers the impact on Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s seat and the confusion facing election officials. Finally, the hosts report on a federal judge’s ruling blocking President Trump’s executive order that would have restricted mail voting.

Topics discussed

Intro: Postpartum psychosis and the Clancy trial Welcome and introduction of guest Jason Rosenbaum How Missouri redrew congressional districts in 2025 Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and the impact on his district Voter referendum signatures to reject the new map Legal battles and the Missouri Supreme Court ruling Current status: 2022 maps in effect for general election Election forecasts and the net advantage for Republicans Sponsor break and NPR Plus promotion Confusion over primary vs. general election districts Impact on election officials and voter disenfranchisement Rep. Cleaver's comments on voter fatigue and chaos Explaining Proposition A and the November ballot measure Why ballot referendums often defy political expectations Legal challenges to Trump's mail-in voting executive order Closing remarks and sign-off Promo: Planet Money on Palantir and dating Promo: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! with Leslie Jones
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