Supreme Court Blocks Missouri GOP Congressional Map for November Election

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Missouri from using a newly drawn congressional map favored by Republicans for the upcoming November elections.

The high court's order lifted a federal judge's directive that had told the state to continue implementing the GOP's 7-1 map, which had created confusion about the election boundaries. By lifting the federal judge's directive, the Supreme Court's action leaves in place a state court directive. This decision marks the second time in as many days the Supreme Court has rejected efforts to implement the map.

The order had no noted dissents. Republicans had sought to use the new map, which critics argued was an effort to gerrymander districts. The current map has been in place since 2022. The 5th Congressional District, currently held by Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, was a focus of the redistricting effort. Cleaver stated the decision was a win for justice. A win for democracy.