A federal judge in St. Louis is considering whether a nonprofit trying to block the implementation of a new Missouri congressional map has the right to do so.

U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone heard about an hour of oral argument Tuesday in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, and the Missouri General Assembly. Lawyers from state Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office argued that the referendum attempt by People Not Politicians violates the state and U.S. constitutions by infringing on the General Assembly’s sole authority to draw maps and are asking Bluestone to shut down the process.

“Subjecting Missouri’s congressional redistricting to ballot referenda will invite chaos — driven by out-of-state special interests looking to gain a partis

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