A high-stakes legal battle over Missouri's congressional map has plunged the state's elections into chaos. After Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined to block a state court order requiring Missouri to use its older 2022 map, federal District Judge Stephen Clark issued a contradictory order mandating the GOP-favored 2025 map. This map, backed by Donald Trump, targets Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver's district to secure a 7-1 Republican advantage. Amid the conflict, the Missouri Supreme Court has threatened Secretary of State Denny Hoskins with contempt for instructing local officials to use the Republican-drawn lines.
Supreme Court redistricting decision
- ▪U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined to intervene in the Missouri redistricting dispute, leaving in place a state court mandate to use the older 2022 congressional map
- ▪Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied the Missouri Republicans' emergency appeal on September 8, 2026, without providing any written explanation or referring the matter to the full Supreme Court
Federal versus state court conflict
- ▪A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit unanimously rejected a request by organizer Richard von Glahn to pause Judge Stephen Clark's order
- ▪Following the 8th Circuit's ruling, the group People Not Politicians filed an emergency appeal on September 9, 2026, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block the GOP-favored map
- ▪U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark issued a temporary restraining order on September 8, 2026, blocking Missouri from using its older 2022 congressional districts in the November election
GOP seven-to-one map
- ▪The GOP-favored congressional map passed in 2025 is designed to give Republicans a 7-1 seat advantage in Missouri, compared to the 6-2 split under the 2022 map
- ▪The 2025 map targeted the 5th Congressional District, held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, by reassigning parts of Kansas City to neighboring Republican districts
Trump-backed redistricting push
- ▪President Donald Trump criticized the Missouri Supreme Court's ruling blocking the new map, calling the decision horrible, ridiculous, and unconstitutional
- ▪President Donald Trump urged Republican-led states, including Texas and Missouri, to redraw congressional districts mid-decade to gain U.S. House seats ahead of the midterm elections
Voter confusion before midterms
- ▪Federal law mandates a September 19, 2026, deadline for Missouri to begin mailing absentee ballots to overseas citizens and military members
- ▪Dueling court orders have left Missouri voters and election officials confused about which congressional districts will be in effect for the November general election
Hoskins contempt proceedings
- ▪The Missouri Supreme Court ordered Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to explain in person why he should not be held in contempt for violating its injunction
- ▪Richard von Glahn, representing the group People Not Politicians, filed the contempt request after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins instructed local election officials to use the GOP-favored map
Debatable claims
- ▪Missouri should use its 2022 congressional map for the November election
- ▪Federal courts should not intervene in Missouri's redistricting dispute
- ▪Missouri citizens should be allowed to veto the state's congressional map via referendum
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