Expresses remonstrance against the Governor for calling an extraordinary session of the General Assembly for an expressly unconstituional purpose

2025 2nd Extraordinary Session Introduced by Maggie Nurrenbern

Senate Remonstrance No. 1 opposes the Governor's call for mid-cycle congressional redistricting, asserting it's unconstitutional and risks legal challenges.

Miscellaneous

Purpose and Intent

Senate Remonstrance No. 1 (SRM 1) expresses the Missouri Senate's formal objection to the Governor's decision to call an extraordinary session of the General Assembly. The remonstrance argues that the purpose of this session is unconstitutional, specifically regarding the issue of congressional redistricting.

Key Provisions

Constitutional Basis: The remonstrance cites Article III, Section 45 of the Missouri Constitution, which mandates that congressional redistricting occurs only once every ten years, immediately following the certification of the census data to the Governor.

Timing Restrictions: It emphasizes that the General Assembly is only authorized to draw new congressional districts when new census data is available, thus prohibiting any mid-cycle redistricting.

Legal Precedents: The remonstrance references the Missouri Supreme Court case Pearson v. Koster, which affirmed that redistricting should only occur after census certification and remain in effect until the next census.

Comparison with Other States: It notes that other states with similar constitutional provisions have interpreted them to prohibit mid-cycle redistricting, citing a 2003 Colorado Supreme Court ruling as an example.

Impact

Legal Challenges: The remonstrance warns that any attempt at mid-cycle congressional redistricting would likely face substantial legal challenges, which are expected to succeed and invalidate such actions.

Political Implications: The resolution suggests that the motivations behind the extraordinary session are politically driven rather than constitutional, raising concerns about the integrity of the redistricting process.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced Date: The bill was introduced on November 12, 2025.

Action Required: The resolution instructs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the remonstrance to both the Governor and the Missouri Supreme Court, indicating a formal request for acknowledgment and action regarding the constitutional concerns raised.

Conclusion

Senate Remonstrance No. 1 serves as a formal objection from the Missouri Senate against what it perceives as an unconstitutional action by the Governor regarding congressional redistricting. By reinforcing the constitutional limitations on redistricting, the remonstrance aims to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and prevent politically motivated alterations to congressional maps.

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