Missouri’s dispute over which congressional map will be used in November’s election is now before both a federal court and the U.S. Supreme Court as the state reaches a key election deadline Tuesday.
The fight centers on a congressional redistricting map Missouri lawmakers approved in 2025. Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that because a referendum petition challenging the map qualified for the ballot, Missouri must continue using the 2022 and 2024 congressional districts until voters decide the issue.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins are asking federal courts to reverse that ruling and allow Missouri to use the 2025 map in November. In court filings, state attorneys argue Missouri already conducted its August primary using the newer map and that changing districts now could create confusion and complicate election administration.
Supporters of the Missouri Supreme Court ruling, including the group People Not Politicians, the ACLU of Missouri and the Campaign Legal Center, argue state law is clear that legislation challenged by referendum cannot take effect until approved by voters. They also contend federal courts should not override the Missouri Supreme Court’s interpretation of Missouri law.
The legal battle has drawn national attention. Twenty Republican-led states have filed briefs supporting Hoskins’ effort to reinstate the 2025 map, while voting-rights groups have filed briefs supporting the Missouri Supreme Court ruling.
The U.S. Supreme Court has not issued a decision. The timing is significant because Missouri faces a deadline Tuesday to finalize changes for the Nov. 3 ballot, while a Sept. 19 deadline is approaching to send ballots to military and overseas voters.
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