JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Top Missouri Republicans are joining together to fight a ballot initiative that would change redistricting.

Missourians First Chairman and former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent in a Thursday announcement called the ballot initiative misleading. He says the true intent is to gerrymander.

At issue is a proposal by Clean Missouri to replace Missouri’s system for drawing state legislative districts with a model designed to have the number of seats won by each party more closely reflect its statewide vote.

It also would ban most lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and lower limits on campaign contributions, among other changes.

In response to the Republican group, Clean Missouri says it’s not surprised some politicians want to keep the current system in place. The group touted bipartisan backers, including former Republican U.S. Sen. John Danforth.