Supreme Court blocks GOP effort to enforce new Missouri congressional map
The Supreme Court paused a lower court order that would have required Missouri to use a Republican-favored congressional map for the midterms. The stay leaves in place a state Supreme Court ruling that the 2025 map was invalid because of a pending ballot initiative. As a result, Missouri is likely to use the 2022 district lines for the upcoming election.
The litigation stems from a citizen referendum effort by People Not Politicians Missouri, which challenged the 2025 map drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature. The state's highest court invalidated the map because the referendum was still pending, prompting Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to seek federal intervention.
Federal Judge Stephen R. Clark sided with Republican Rep. Bob Onder and others, ordering the 2025 map for the fall. However, the Supreme Court's stay, issued without noted dissents, halts that order, meaning the 2022 district boundaries are likely to govern the upcoming midterm elections.
This decision could affect Missouri voters and candidates, as the uncertainty over district lines may disrupt campaign strategies and voter outreach ahead of the midterms. The outcome may also influence national redistricting battles, as partisan maps face legal challenges through both state and federal courts. Ultimately, the stay could shape the balance of power in the House, depending on which lines are ultimately used.