Supreme Court Blocks Missouri’s GOP-Favored Map, Keeping 2022 Lines in Place
The Supreme Court has blocked Missouri’s new Republican-backed congressional map, dealing Republicans another setback as the midterm elections approach.
Missouri will now use its 2022 congressional map. The ruling clears the way for the older district boundaries to remain in place while the legal fight over the new map continues.
The decision came Thursday, after the Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to put the new map into effect before ballots begin going out for the November elections. The brief order included no noted dissents.
The new map was drawn to help Republicans gain an additional congressional seat. It would also reduce Democratic representation in Missouri to just one seat. Republicans control the Missouri House of Representatives, which passed the sweeping map last year.
Opponents challenged the map in court and sought to block it before the midterms. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency application involving the map. Thursday’s action again left the 2022 districts as the operative boundaries for the upcoming election.
The Missouri Supreme Court last Thursday threw out the state’s new congressional map. That ruling came shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in, setting up a closely watched court battle over which districts Missouri voters would use.
The new map is not permanently dead. It could still take effect in 2028 if Missouri voters approve it during the 2026 midterm elections. Until then, however, candidates and voters will proceed under the 2022 congressional map.
The ruling is a loss for Republicans seeking to maintain control of the U.S. House in pivotal midterm elections. It also means the map designed to give the GOP a stronger advantage will not be used in the immediate election cycle.
The court’s action comes as Missouri prepares for ballots to go out. The dispute is expected to remain a major political issue as both parties fight over congressional control and the future shape of the state’s districts.
More updates are expected as the Missouri map battle continues.