The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced Monday it is making an investment to help Missouri Democrats put the state’s newly signed GOP-friendly House map to a statewide vote ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The DNC will assist the Missouri Democratic Party in collecting signatures needed for a referendum process. The DNC declined to offer a specific price tag associated with the effort but noted it was the most the national party had spent on redistricting battles thus far.

The referendum process would stall the new congressional lines — which look to eliminate Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-Mo.) district — from immediately going into effect, requiring Missourians to first vote on the new map.

The DNC’s investment would go toward efforts such as using its 41,000-volunteer team to send texts to residents about signing onto the petition and helping staff collect signatures in the state.

“After passing Trump’s Big Ugly Bill that kicks 230,000 Missourians off their health insurance and puts four rural hospitals at risk of closing, Missouri Republicans are scared they will lose in 2026 and beyond,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

“That’s why they are trying to cheat,” he added. “The DNC won’t stand idly by as Republicans try to take the power away from the people — that’s why we’re partnering with Democrats on the ground to ensure Missourians choose their maps, not Trump or his Republican enablers.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed the new House map into law Sunday, which aims to offer Republicans a 7-1 map instead of its current 6-2 split. Opponents have 90 days after the end of the special session to collect enough signatures to put the House map before voters — one of Democrats’ best chances at rejecting the new congressional map.

Missouri followed Texas to become the second GOP state to redraw its map following a pressure campaign from President Trump and the White House, as Republicans brace for a challenging midterm environment next year. California voters this November are also expected to weigh in on a new set of maps passed by Democrats.