In a significant rebuff to the Missouri Republican party’s efforts to redraw congressional districts mid-cycle, a new poll reveals that 48% of voters in the state are opposed to the initiative aimed at restructuring the district currently held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. This opposition emerges amidst a broader strategy by Republicans to solidify their hold in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to a Change Research survey commissioned by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and reported by POLITICO, only 37% of the surveyed 1,242 registered Missouri voters support the redistricting proposal, with a notable 19% still undecided. The survey, conducted between August 29 and 31, comes with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Missouri Republicans, wielding a legislative supermajority, unveiled their proposed new map this Wednesday, a move that Governor Mike Kehoe has urged to be passed swiftly. This redistricting plan not only aims to marginalize Democratic representation by potentially eliminating Cleaver’s seat but also to create a new Republican-leaning district, thus reducing Democratic-held seats to just one out of eight.

The redistricting efforts in Missouri mirror similar Republican strategies in other states like Texas, where redistricting could lead to the creation of five new GOP-leaning seats. This push to redraw district lines mid-decade underscores a tactical maneuver by Republicans to maintain control in tightly contested legislative bodies.

Interestingly, the poll also touched on the public’s support for a ballot initiative to establish an independent redistricting commission in Missouri, which saw 52% in favor and only 22% opposed. This suggests a significant portion of the electorate is seeking a less partisan approach to district mapping.

As the debate over redistricting heats up, it is clear that the issue resonates deeply with Missouri voters, many of whom appear skeptical of partisan efforts to reshape political boundaries in favor of any one party. With the legislative process and public opinion at odds, the coming months could prove pivotal in determining the political landscape of Missouri and perhaps set precedents for other states grappling with similar issues.