Federal appeals court backs Missouri GOP congressional map as Supreme Court review looms

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Missouri must use a new Republican-drawn congressional map for the November 2026 election, declaring the plan to use the 2022 map unconstitutional. However, because the U.S. Supreme Court has twice blocked the new map, the state remains set to use the older boundaries for now. The legal battle has caused whiplash for election officials, who already mailed overseas ballots under the 2022 lines, and raises the prospect of post-election lawsuits.

8th Circuit ruling favoring GOP

• ▪The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel declared that Missouri's plan to use the 2022 congressional map in the November 2026 general election violates the U.S. Constitution.
• ▪The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel consisted of Judge James Loken, Judge David Stras, and Judge Justin Smith, who were all appointed by Republican presidents.
• ▪The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel directed a lower court judge to issue a permanent injunction favoring the Republican-drawn map, but delayed the order's effect until September 28, 2026.
• ▪On September 21, 2026, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Missouri must use a new Republican-drawn congressional map in the November 2026 election.

Supreme Court prior blocks

• ▪On September 3, 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court blocked the 2025 Republican-drawn map, ruling that the state must use the 2022 districts because of a pending referendum petition
• ▪The advocacy group People Not Politicians announced plans to file an emergency appeal of the September 21, 2026, appellate ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• ▪The U.S. Supreme Court has twice blocked lower court orders favoring the new 2025 Republican-drawn Missouri congressional map, leaving the 2022 map in place for the November 2026 election for now

Cleaver district dismantling

• ▪The 2025 Republican-drawn congressional map significantly reshapes the Kansas City-based 5th District held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, aiming to help Republicans win seven of Missouri's eight House seats
• ▪The 2025 Republican-drawn congressional map affects more than one million potential Missouri voters, making approximately 59% of the 5th District's potential voters new to that district

Absentee ballot distribution timing

• ▪Missouri election officials began mailing absentee ballots to overseas citizens and military voters on September 18, 2026, using the 2022 congressional district boundaries.
• ▪Under Missouri law, absentee ballots for the November 2026 election must be made available to all other eligible voters by September 22, 2026.
• ▪The Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities stated in a legal filing that changing congressional districts at this late stage of the November 2026 election would be practically impossible and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars

Post-election legal uncertainty

• ▪Because Missouri's August 2026 primary was held under the redrawn 2025 boundaries, using the 2022 map in November means many voters will cast ballots for candidates they did not vote to nominate
• ▪Officials from both political parties acknowledge that post-election lawsuits are likely regardless of which congressional map is ultimately used in the November 2026 election.

Debatable claims

• ▪Missouri should use its newly redrawn congressional map in the November 2026 election
• ▪Courts should not alter congressional district maps once voting has begun