State in uncharted territory with court's redistricting map decision

It is back to the drawing board for state Senate maps after the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday invalidated postcensus boundaries released in December.

After Tuesday’s decision, incumbents and prospective challengers are left wondering what districts they will file to run in, while others are simply wondering which district they will live in if and when a final map of state Senate districts is finally agreed upon.

The state’s high court found that the new map violated the state constitution by dividing Jackson and Greene counties into too many districts.

Article 3, Section 5 of the Missouri Constitution states: “The Senate shall consist of thirty-four members elected by the qualified voters of the respective districts for four years.

For the election of senators, the state shall be divided into convenient districts of contiguous territory, as compact and nearly equal in population as may be.”

Incumbent state Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, who now represents Pettis County as part of his 28th District, told the Democrat on Wednesday that he and fellow senators continue to discuss “exactly how to move forward,” after the voiding of a map that would have seen Parson and 31st District incumbent David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, swapping Vernon and Pettis counties.

“Unfortunately, this causes quiet a bit of chaos and we have to start back at square one,” Parson said.

Gov. Jay Nixon has requested that state Democratic and Republican party officials submit new names for appointment to a citizens’ commission charged with redrawing the maps.
Parson said it would be difficult for the panel to have maps completed by Feb. 28, the first day of filing for office in state House races.

On Wednesday, Pearce, who now serves the 31st District, called the move “quite a decision” and said he was surprised by the court’s action, but would continue to campaign and engage in voter outreach in Pettis and other parts of the proposed 21st District until a new map was completed.

“For me it doesn’t change anything, and I am still excited to get to know folks in the new district. But this is uncharted waters for everybody. For me it stretches pretty thin ... either serving or campaigning in two separate districts,” Pearce said.

Pearce will appear with state representatives Stan Cox and Denny Hoskins from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today for a “meet-and-greet” at the Economic Development Office at 3615 W. Broadway Blvd.

Pearce also expressed some skepticism as to whether the bipartisan 10-member panel would be able to agree on a map.

“I would be hopeful the citizens’ committee could reach agreement, but they weren’t able to agree when this started last year. Nor have they (agreed to a plan) in the last 30 years. It usually does end up in the courts, but this time they will have more pressure on to get something done,” Pearce said.

Both men agreed that filing dates can be adjusted by the Missouri General Assembly.

However, Ryan Hobart, a spokesman for the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, said a plan would have to be finished and approved by May 29 in order to meet election certification requirements before the August primary.

Hobart said that should the citizens’ group fail to reach agreement, responsibility would return to a panel of six appellate court judges appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court.
Should that process not be complete by May 29, elections will be staged according to the existing map agreed to after the 2000 census, Hobart said.