Statement from Lisa Dixon, CEC Executive Director, on Risk of Voter Confusion, Loss of Confidence, and Disenfranchisement Following Latest Missouri Ruling

“Voters’ confidence in elections is based on important pillars of predictability, consistency, and understandability. An election in which congressional maps seem to change every day—and in which different maps will apparently apply for the general election than did for the primary election—meets none of those requirements.

“Thousands of Missouri voters are likely to be confused when the candidate who won nomination in August isn’t on their ballot in November, not to mention the rapid and repeated changes to their congressional district boundaries and numbers in 2026. Moreover, the instability following recent developments in Missouri means voters are likely to approach the election with suspicion and distrust. Some may even wonder if their ballot is accurate or if their vote will count. 

“Yet, the most direct risk to November’s election comes down to basics: ensuring that every eligible voter is assigned to the correct congressional district and receives the correct ballot. When voting district lines change, human error frequently leads to voters receiving wrong ballots or no ballot at all—something no one wants to happen.

“Fortunately, Missouri election officials are well-positioned to address this perfect storm of election anxiety head on. It is imperative that they take immediate and continuous steps to communicate these changes to voters, explaining in detail what voters should expect this fall—and why it may be different from years past. Failure to do so will have devastating effects. 

“The Center for Election Confidence calls on all Missouri election officials to exercise extra diligence when assigning the appropriate congressional maps in the Missouri Centralized Voter Registration system to ensure no voter is inadvertently disenfranchised through error, omission, or mistake. Now is not the time to place speed over accuracy. Officials should take their time and implement best practices for proofreading, review, and error correction.

“We know every election official wants to get this right. The Center for Election Confidence stands ready to assist.”

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