A federal appeals court on Monday ordered Missouri to use its 2025 congressional redistricting map in the upcoming November elections, setting the stage for a potential shift in the state’s congressional delegation. The decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s prior rulings blocking the same map in recent weeks.
The appeals court’s unsigned ruling states that Missouri’s current use of the 2022 map violates the Constitution, and only the 2025 map complies with federal law. The decision, however, does not take immediate effect. The court imposed a one-week pause, allowing time for an expected appeal to the Supreme Court. If the high court does not intervene by then, the 2025 map would be implemented for the November 2026 general election.
The ruling upholds a decision by U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark, who had previously ordered the use of the 2025 map. The Supreme Court had blocked Clark’s ruling on September 10, seemingly ending the dispute and allowing the 2022 map to remain in place. The 2022 map currently gives Republicans a 6-2 advantage in Missouri’s congressional delegation, while the 2025 map would shift the balance to a 7-1 Republican advantage, effectively eliminating one of the state’s two Democratic-held districts.
Key Details of the Ruling
- The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order on September 21, siding with Republicans who sought to use the 2025 map.
- The court’s three-judge panel, all Republican-appointed judges, included two appointed by President Donald Trump.
- The decision does not affect the current election cycle, as ballots have already been printed and early voting has begun under the 2022 map.
- The appeals court acknowledged the Supreme Court’s prior intervention but did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision to revive the 2025 map.
Reactions and Legal Challenges
Critics of the ruling argue that the decision disrupts the election process, as thousands of voters have already cast ballots under the 2022 map. Richard von Glahn, executive director of the group People Not Politicians, called the legal maneuvering a waste of taxpayer money and urged officials to focus on administering elections.
The appeals court’s decision also conflicts with a prior ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court, which had concluded that the 2022 map should remain in use. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s lack of reasoning in its September 10 stay has created uncertainty, leaving lower courts to interpret the high court’s intent.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court now has one week to decide whether to block or allow the 2025 map. If the justices do not act, the 2025 map would take effect for the November 2026 general election, potentially altering Missouri’s congressional representation. County clerks have already begun sending military and overseas ballots under the 2022 map, but the appeals court’s ruling introduces the possibility of a last-minute change.
The legal battle over Missouri’s congressional maps reflects broader national debates over redistricting, partisan gerrymandering, and the role of courts in shaping electoral outcomes. The Supreme Court’s involvement—and its lack of detailed reasoning—has left many questions unanswered, including whether the high court will weigh in before the November elections.