English
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Missouri Republicans from using a new congressional map in the ongoing 2025 midterm elections — and it did so for the third time. The court rejected an appeals court decision that tried to revive the Republican-drawn 2025 map, despite two earlier Supreme Court rulings and a Missouri Supreme Court decision that had already ruled against it. No justices dissented.
The ruling came after the court granted an emergency application filed by People Not Politicians, the group challenging the new map. As a result, Missouri’s general election will proceed using the existing 2022 congressional map.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Election Already Underway, Court Says
The Supreme Court emphasized that Missouri had already begun its voting processes. The state started sending ballots to military and overseas voters, and absentee voting opened on Tuesday. The court cited its own precedent, warning that lower federal courts should not alter a state’s election rules on the eve of an election.
“The election is not merely upcoming; it has already started,” the ruling stated. The court added that switching to the 2025 map at this stage “would usher in electoral chaos.”
The 2022 map keeps six congressional seats held by Republicans and two held by Democrats. The proposed 2025 map would have eliminated one of those Democratic seats — the district held by Representative Emanuel Cleaver.
Cleaver and Advocacy Group React
Cleaver told NBC News he was “very happy” with the ruling. He said the uncertainty had gone on far too long but expressed relief that the matter is now settled ahead of November.
“The manufactured chaos, you know, has at long last ended, been brought to a final state, and we can move on,” Cleaver said. He added that his campaign will focus on reaching voters who may be confused after their congressional districts bounced between courts throughout the year.
Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, also welcomed the decision. “We are done with corrupt politicians trying to force their map into effect outside the process outlined in the Missouri constitution,” he said. “People, not politicians, will be the final deciders on this DC power grab.”
How the Legal Battle Unfolded
The dispute began after opponents of the new map collected enough signatures to trigger a state referendum. Under Missouri law, a law subject to a referendum is suspended until voters decide. However, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, delayed his decision on whether the referendum effort was valid until just before the primary election. He then rejected the proposal and ordered the new 2025 map into use.
The Missouri Supreme Court quickly overruled him. It found no grounds to reject the referendum and ordered the state to use the 2022 districts instead. The court also held Hoskins in contempt for his actions. The U.S. Supreme Court noted in its Friday ruling that Hoskins “was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks.”
The legal fight appeared to be over after that. However, a new federal lawsuit filed on September 4 reignited the conflict. Republican congressional nominee Rick Brattin, Representative Bob Onder, and two voters brought the case into federal court. U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark ruled in favor of the new map. That decision led to the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Monday that Missouri must use the 2025 map. The Supreme Court overturned that ruling on Tuesday and reaffirmed its position on Friday.
Broader Context and Governor’s Response
The Missouri redistricting fight was part of a wider Republican push across the country. At the urging of President Donald Trump, Republicans in several states attempted to redraw congressional districts in their favor. In response, Democrats in states including California drew their own new maps.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, said on Friday he found the Supreme Court’s decision “disappointing.” He argued that voters deserved consistency between the primary and general elections.
“Voters deserved consistency and certainty, and not for the rules to be changed between elections,” Kehoe wrote on X. “Nevertheless, Missouri will follow the Court’s order.”
With the Supreme Court’s final ruling now in place, Missouri’s November election will move forward using the 2022 map. Voters will ultimately decide on the proposed redistricting changes through the state referendum process.
