'This is not right': grassroots campaign aims to repeal Missouri Republicans' gerrymandering

Missouri Residents Take on Gerrymandering in Historic Battle for Voting Rights

In a move that has left both parties reeling, grassroots activists in Missouri are pushing back against the state Republican Party's latest gerrymandered congressional map. The campaign, led by 69-year-old Jill Imbler of Moberly, aims to repeal the map and put it on hold until voters decide whether to adopt it in a 2026 referendum.

The proposed map was drawn up at the behest of President Donald Trump, who wants to redraw congressional districts in several key states to secure more seats for Republicans. Missouri, however, offers a unique opportunity for voters to rebuke politicians and take back control of their own democracy.

Imbler, a retired teacher's aide, became outraged when she saw Missouri lawmakers move to weaken ballot referendums approved by the state's voters last year that protected abortion and raised the minimum wage. She realized that "we don't have the final say" in the face of gerrymandering and decided to take action.

Using her personal network of friends and acquaintances, Imbler has been canvassing neighborhoods across Missouri, collecting signatures from likely supporters of the repeal effort. With a signature-gathering goal of 106,000, the campaign is well ahead of schedule, having already collected over 200,000 signatures.

"We turn in signatures, the map goes on hold," said Richard Von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, the group leading the signature-gathering effort. The Missouri effort has been closely watched by observers nationwide, who see it as a critical test of the power of grassroots activism against gerrymandering.

Outside groups have poured money into the campaign, with both Democratic and Republican organizations raising millions of dollars to counter the effort. However, Imbler's message resonates across party lines, with many voters recognizing the need for fair and unbiased representation in Congress.

As Imbler travels the state, she meets with people who share her concerns about gerrymandering and its impact on democracy. Her personal approach – using her social connections to build trust and gather support – has proven effective, with even some Republicans willing to sign the petition.

However, Republican leaders are fighting back, seeking to block the referendum through a series of lawsuits and legal challenges. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has filed a lawsuit aimed at disqualifying over 90,000 signatures, while a shadowy group has offered canvassers $5,000 to stop collecting signatures.

Despite these obstacles, Imbler remains undeterred, saying that "this isn't an easy undertaking" but is necessary to protect the integrity of democracy. As the battle for Missouri's congressional map heats up, one thing is clear: the future of voting rights and representation hangs in the balance.

this gerrymandering thingy is like a big mess! people should have the right to choose their own reps not some politicians drawing maps to benefit themselves . Jill Imbler is my kinda gal she's all about fighting for what's fair and I'm loving how she's using her network to get signatures 200k+ signatures? that's some serious grassroots power ! The fact that even some Republicans are supporting her is like a big win . But of course, the other side is being all negative and trying to block this referendum . Let's hope Imbler stays strong and we get to see Missouri's map change in 2026 !

The more I think about it, the more I feel like the forum we use to discuss these issues is kinda... outdated . Like, have you seen the threads get flooded with spam comments and the site just auto-moderates everything? It's so annoying! Can't they just implement some better moderation tools or something?

And don't even get me started on how the search function is broken . I swear, every time I try to find a specific thread about a certain topic, it takes me down the rabbit hole of outdated news articles and irrelevant discussions .

Anyway, back to Missouri's gerrymandering issue ... I think it's awesome that grassroots activists like Jill Imbler are taking matters into their own hands . We need more people like her who aren't afraid to speak out against injustice .

But seriously, folks, if we want to make a real difference in our democracy, we need better tools and infrastructure to support us . That means forum upgrades , improved search functionality , and maybe even some AI-powered moderation tools ... just saying

I'm tellin' ya, this gerrymandering stuff is a real concern . I mean, think about it, politicians drawing maps to rig the system for their own gain? It's like they're tryin' to control what we can and can't do in our own country . And now, some lady named Jill Imbler is standin' up to 'em, collectin' signatures to repeal this crazy map . That's the kinda spirit we need more of! But it's not just the Democrats and Republicans fightin' over this stuff, it's all us citizens who care about fairness and representation .

I remember when I was younger, my dad used to say "the people should decide" . He always said that when he voted, he wanted his voice to count. And now, we've got activists like Imbler makin' sure our voices are heard . It's about time someone took on the powers that be and fought for what's right.

Of course, there's still a lot of pushback from the other side . They're tryin' to block this referendum with lawsuits and whatever else they can think of. But Imbler ain't havin' it . She's out there, meetin' people, gatherin' signatures, and fightin' for what she believes in.

I'm rootin' for her all the way . We need more folks like her who are willin' to stand up for what's right, even if it means goin' against the status quo . It's time for us to take back control of our democracy and make sure that every voice is heard .

I'm all about DIY solutions , and this grassroots campaign in Missouri is a total game-changer ! I mean, who needs politicians to fight for you when you can take matters into your own hands? Imbler's approach of using her personal network and building trust with people is so refreshing - it shows that you don't need fancy money or organizations to make a difference.

And let's be real, gerrymandering is just plain unfair . It's like they're trying to rig the system against us! But this Missouri campaign is showing us that we can push back and demand fair representation. If 200k signatures are already collected and the goal is over 106k, that's a solid foundation for change .

Now, I know there are some obstacles out there - lawsuits and whatnot - but I believe in people power . We've seen it time and again, from civil rights movements to community-driven initiatives. So, let's keep supporting Imbler and this movement, and show them that we won't back down !

I'm loving how these Missourians are taking a stand against gerrymandering! It's crazy that they're not letting politicians just push their agenda without public input They've got like 200k signatures already, which is insane for a grassroots movement And it's awesome to see that people from all parties are getting behind this cause - Imbler even met some Republicans who signed up! This shows that when we work together and use our voices, we can really make a difference The fact that these activists are willing to put in the time and effort to collect signatures and organize their community is truly inspiring

this gerrymandering stuff is wild... i feel like we're at a point where it's either us vs them, or us trying to find common ground gotta respect that 69-yr-old lady Jill Imbler for taking on the system ‍... she's got heart and she's not afraid to get her hands dirty . signature-gathering goals of over 200k? that's insane , but i guess when you're passionate about something like this, you'll do whatever it takes .

I think it's dope that some Mizzourians are takin' a stand against gerrymandering! Like, who gets to decide how our politicians represent us, right? It's not just about party lines – it's about makin' sure everyone's voice is heard. And Jill Imbler, she's the real MVP for gettin' all those signatures and mobilizin' people to take action.

I know some folks might say it's a waste of time or that politicians are just gonna do what they want anyway, but I think this is a crucial moment in our democracy. We need more people like Imbler who aren't afraid to speak up and demand change. And even if the Republicans try to block the referendum, it's still good PR for the people involved – it shows that we're not afraid of a fight.

Let's be real, though: the real question is, what's gonna happen when all this gets played out? Is it just more politickin' and lawyerin', or can we actually get some meaningful change? We'll see. One thing's for sure – I'm keepin' an eye on this one!

I'm low-key impressed by these Missourians who are taking on gerrymandering like it's nobodies business ! I mean, we all know how rigged that system can be, but to see a whole state come together like this? It's kinda beautiful . And Jill Imbler is the real MVP – using her network and personal touch to get signatures without being a total buzzkill. Meanwhile, the Republicans are getting all salty about it , but I think we should be celebrating democracy in action !

I think this is so cool how grassroots activists are taking on gerrymandering in Missouri! It's like, they're not just sitting back and letting politicians make decisions for them - they're actually doing something about it . I love that Jill Imbler is using her social network to collect signatures and build support - that's the kind of community organizing we need more of . And it's awesome that people from both parties are coming together on this issue - it shows that we can all agree on something when it matters most . The fact that there are obstacles like lawsuits and money from outside groups trying to block the referendum is crazy, but Imbler is staying focused and determined . We should all be cheering her on!

Gerrymandering is a major problem and it's awesome to see Missourians pushing back . It's not just about partisan politics; it's about ensuring that our voices are heard in Congress. I'm loving how grassroots activists like Jill Imbler are using their personal networks to mobilize people and collect signatures . The fact that she's getting over 200,000 signatures on target is a huge deal!

It's interesting to see the pushback from Republican leaders, trying to block the referendum through lawsuits and paid canvassers. But Imbler's message of fairness and unbiased representation resonates with people across party lines . This battle for Missouri's congressional map is a crucial test of grassroots activism vs partisan politics .

One thing that worries me is the influence of outside groups pouring money into the campaign. It could get messy, and we need to make sure that our democracy remains untainted by special interests . Still, I'm hopeful that Imbler's movement will inspire more people to take action and demand change . Missouri's residents are proving that they won't be silenced or intimidated – it's time for politicians to listen!

lol its crazy how one woman can spark a movement against gerrymandering I mean, Imbler's just a regular person from Moberly but she sees what's going on and decides to take action She's not some expert or politician, just a concerned citizen who wants a say in her own democracy And she's using social connections to mobilize people - that's genius! The opposition is throwing money at the problem, but Imbler's approach is more effective because it's personal and community-driven Republicans are trying to block the referendum with lawsuits, but Imbler's not having it She's gonna keep fighting for a fair map that represents all Missourians. Fingers crossed for this historic battle!

im not sure if i buy into this whole gerrymandering situation...i mean dont get me wrong, it sounds super shady that politicians are messing with the districts to suit their own party's needs. but isnt this just another example of people trying to be seen as "activists" or whatever? like jill imbler and her crew are using social connections to get signatures signed...isnt that just a fancy way of saying they have a lot of friends who owe them favors? meanwhile, i see groups on both sides pouring millions into the campaign. seems to me like we're just getting played into more infighting rather than actual progress

omg u guys like i cant even believe what's going on in missouri rn. these grassroots activists are literally fighting against gerrymandering and it's giving me LIFE ! jill imbler is a total boss, using her personal network to get signatures for the repeal effort and it's already gathered over 200k signatures that's insane. i'm loving how she's not afraid to take on the rep party and fight for what's right and yeah, i know both parties are getting money poured into this but like, who cares? justice will prevail . can u imagine if more people took a stand like imbler is doing? it would be a game changer

I think this is so cool what Jill Imbler is doing in Missouri . I mean, who wouldn't want to stand up against gerrymandering and fight for fair representation? It's like she's saying, "Hey, we deserve a say in how our country is represented!" And the fact that it's a bipartisan effort is awesome . I hope they're able to collect all those signatures and put this map on hold. It's about time we take back control of our democracy . But, I'm also kinda surprised by how much cash is being poured into both sides of the issue - like, can't we just have fair maps for once? .

This is so inspiring to see someone like Jill Imbler taking a stand against gerrymandering and fighting for fair representation in Congress It's amazing how grassroots activism can make a difference when people come together with a common goal The fact that she's able to connect with people across party lines and get them on board is a testament to the power of empathy and understanding And yeah, it's crazy that there are people trying to block this effort with lawsuits and bribes But Imbler's determination is really contagious

Wow this is crazy! grassroots activists in Missouri are taking on gerrymandering and it's amazing to see how far they've come . I mean 200k signatures is insane, and the fact that some republicans are even willing to sign the petition is huge . It's like people from all sides of the aisle can agree that this is a big deal . And yeah, the Republicans are fighting back with lawsuits and money, but it's hard to see how that's gonna work in this case

This is insane what's going on in MO! I mean, I know gerrymandering is a big deal but to take it to this level? The fact that they're trying to block 90k+ signatures just shows how messed up our system is . It's like, we're supposed to be a democracy where the people have power but instead we've got politicians and money interests pulling strings from behind the scenes.

I love that Jill Imbler is out there taking on this issue with her own two hands though. She's all about grassroots activism and using personal connections to build support – that's so inspiring! And it's not just Democrats vs Republicans, it's people coming together across party lines who are fed up with the status quo.

The $5k bribe offer from some shady group is just disgusting . It's like they think we're all just pawns in their game of power and money. But Jill and her crew aren't having it – they're determined to fight for fair representation and it's awesome to see that kind of passion and commitment.

This is exactly why we need more folks like Jill Imbler out there fighting for what's right . We can't keep relying on politicians and lawyers to save the day – we need to take matters into our own hands and demand change. So here's to Jill and her crew – let's go, Missouri!

omg i just had the craziest dream last nite about gerrymandering lol idk much about politics but this sounds soooo messed up. how do ppl even know what districts they're supposed to vote for? shouldn't it just be like a big ol map with all the districts clearly labeled or something? anyway back 2 the topic i was like yeah it's cool that people r fighting back but whats gonna happen next?

This whole thing with the gerrymandered map in Missouri is kinda weird, like they're actually trying to mess with the voters. I mean, President Trump drew it up himself, what's his angle? Anyway, these grassroots activists are fighting back and it's cool to see people taking a stand for fair representation. Jill Imbler is like a total underdog, but her personal approach is working in her favor. It's not going to be easy, though - they're getting hit with lawsuits and stuff. But hey, if anyone can do it, it's the people of Missouri who want to take back control of their democracy. Let's keep an eye on this one!