Overview
- The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that opponents’ petition was valid and that the 2025 redistricting law never went into effect, directing the issue to a statewide referendum in November.
- The decision says the 2022 congressional map will govern the November general election unless the U.S. Supreme Court grants Missouri’s emergency request to reinstate the new map.
- State officials had used the Republican map in August primaries after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the referendum on Aug. 4, and the court faulted that late rejection for creating the current timing problems.
- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court asking for a stay, arguing federal election deadlines and overseas/military ballot timelines require the new map be kept in place.
- The dispute grew from a broader, President‑backed mid‑decade redistricting push designed to convert Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City seat and shift Missouri’s delegation toward a likely 7‑1 GOP split, and it raises risks of voter confusion, ballot delays, and a possible high‑court showdown.