IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Jackson County Counselor's Office to pursue litigation or other legal strategies on behalf of the Jackson County Legislature to oppose the proposed redistricting of the 5th Congressional District.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6008, August 4, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, congressional redistricting is intended to occur once per decade, following the U.S. Census, and is to be grounded in objective demographic data, transparency, and community integrity rather than partisan manipulation; and,
WHEREAS, any attempt to redraw congressional boundaries outside of this cycle-without constitutional mandate, population shifts, or court-ordered correction-constitutes a violation of the public trust and a misuse of governmental authority; and,
WHEREAS, recent public reports indicate that Governor Mike Kehoe is considering redistricting action at the urging of President Donald J. Trump, with the express goal of targeting Missouri's 5th Congressional District for political retribution; and,
WHEREAS, such action would constitute blatant political gerrymandering, threatening the democratic representation of hundreds of thousands of Jackson County residents and undermining the constitutional principles of equal protection and fair representation; and,
WHEREAS, the current 5th Congressional District has been historically and demographically aligned with the communities it serves-including large portions of urban, working-class, and minority populations whose voices would be diluted or silenced by improper redistricting; and,
WHEREAS, the current representative of the 5thDistrict is a senior, nationally respected member of Congress, a civil rights leader, and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus with a demonstrated record of bipartisan effectiveness, including substantial federal investment in Jackson County infrastructure, education, ...
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