Missouri map dispute deepens after competing US court orders
The Supreme Court declined Missouri’s bid to restore a Republican-backed congressional map, but a later federal order temporarily required its use for November’s midterm elections.
The US Supreme Court has declined Missouri’s request to reinstate a Republican-backed congressional map, leaving the state’s electoral boundaries subject to competing court orders less than two months before November’s midterm elections.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh rejected Missouri’s emergency application without referring it to the full Supreme Court or providing reasons. The decision left an older congressional map in place under the Supreme Court ruling.
Hours later, US District Judge Stephen Clark temporarily blocked use of the older map and required Missouri to use the new boundaries for 14 days while the dispute is considered. Opponents have appealed that order, leaving unresolved which map will govern the election.
The new map would break up the Democratic-held 5th Congressional District and improve Republican prospects of gaining an additional US House seat. Missouri Republicans approved the map in 2025 as part of a redistricting effort opposed by a petition drive.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled last week that the map must be approved in a statewide referendum before it can be used. Missouri has already held party primaries using the new boundaries, adding to the legal and administrative uncertainty.
The dispute carries wider political significance because Republicans hold a narrow majority in the 435-seat House. Any effect on control of the chamber remains prospective, however, and the supplied court orders do not establish when the map’s final status will be decided.
