Missouri Appeals to Supreme Court to Use New GOP-Favored Map
Missouri urges the U.S. Supreme Court to allow a new GOP-favored congressional map.
Why it matters: This case could affect the partisan balance in Missouri’s congressional delegation and set precedent on redistricting rights versus voter referendums ahead of midterms.
- Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked a new map creating a 7-1 GOP advantage on Sept. 3, requiring a voter referendum.
- Over 300,000 signatures triggered a statewide vote on the map's validity in November.
- The blocked map was backed by former President Trump and alters urban districts, including Kansas City's 5th District.
- Missouri's Attorney General plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing a potential constitutional crisis and voter disenfranchisement.
On September 3, 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked the implementation of a new congressional map designed to heavily favor Republicans, according to the Los Angeles Times. The map, supported by former President Donald Trump, would have shifted Missouri's congressional delegation from a 6-2 Republican majority to a 7-1 advantage. Key to this shift was the reconfiguration of districts including the 5th District centered on Kansas City, currently held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.
The court’s decision was grounded in a challenge brought by a referendum petition, which collected over 300,000 signatures and legally mandated that voters decide on the map’s validity in the November 2026 election. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled the petition was "legal, sufficient, and timely," faulting the secretary of state for initially dismissing it.
In response, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced plans to escalate the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. She argued the state court’s ruling created a "constitutional crisis" and would "disenfranchise" voters by blocking the proposed map. Hanaway stated, "We are confident that the federal courts will not allow every Missouri voter to be disenfranchised—which is what today's decision does," as reported by CBS News.
Until the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the appeal, Missouri will use its previous congressional map based on the 2020 census for the upcoming general election. The case highlights tensions between legislative control over redistricting and voter direct democracy mechanisms, with significant implications for future election law and partisan balance in the state.
By the numbers:
- 300,000+ signatures — collected for the referendum petition to block the new map
- 7-1 — proposed Republican advantage in Missouri's congressional delegation under the new map
- Unanimous decision — Missouri Supreme Court ruling blocking the new map's use without voter approval
Yes, but: The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing or issued a timeline, leaving uncertainty on when a final ruling will come.
What's next: Missouri awaits the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal, which will determine if the new map can be used in the November midterm elections.