Supreme Court Blocks Missouri's GOP Congressional Map for Midterms

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Missouri Republicans' favored 7-1 congressional map, leaving in place a state court directive for officials to use the existing map for the November midterm elections.

The high court granted an emergency request to stay a federal judge's order that had reinstated the Republican-backed districts, with no noted dissents. This action defers to a Missouri Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the new district lines, stating voters must have an opportunity to approve the map in a referendum. The dispute centers on maps drawn by Missouri Republicans that would reshape the state's eight U.S. House districts, potentially giving the GOP an additional seat.

The new map aimed to weaken Democrats' hold on the 5th Congressional District, represented by Emanuel Cleaver, and make the 1st District, represented by Wesley Bell, the sole Democratic seat. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, had been ordered by the state's highest court not to use the new map, but a federal judge later barred him from using anything other than the new map.

This led to a contempt hearing against Hoskins. The Supreme Court's decision on Thursday halts the federal judge's order, effectively requiring Missouri to use the map implemented after the 2020 census, which currently results in six Republican and two Democratic House seats. This is the second time the U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the dispute, following Justice Brett Kavanaugh's earlier rejection of an emergency bid to overturn the Missouri Supreme Court's ruling.