Overview
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined Missouri’s emergency request on Tuesday, leaving a Missouri Supreme Court order blocking the GOP‑drawn 2025 map in place, and hours later U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark issued a 14‑day temporary restraining order directing use of the 2025 map.
- Missouri officials, including Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, said they will comply with the federal judge’s order while opponents immediately appealed to the 8th Circuit and returned to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- The Missouri Supreme Court found the referendum petition from People Not Politicians Missouri was valid and froze the 2025 map under state law, while federal plaintiffs led by Rep. Bob Onder argued switching maps after the primary violates the Constitution and Judge Clark cited equal protection concerns.
- Election administrators face tight windows because state ballot finalization fell on Sept. 8 and federal rules require overseas and military absentee ballots to begin mailing by Sept. 19, raising real risks of voter confusion and logistical strain if the map changes again.
- The dispute has national stakes because the 2025 map was drawn to flip Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s seat to Republicans and the case now turns on fast appeals that could issue conflicting instructions before ballots are mailed.