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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