Appeals court orders Missouri to use Trump-backed congressional map, setting up another Supreme Court battle, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/appeals-court-orders-missouri-to-use-trump-backed-congressional-map-setting-up-another-supreme-court-battle/ar-AA2cHuPZ?ocid=BingNewsVerp)
22-09-2026
A federal appeals court panel ruled that Missouri must use a new, Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map backed by Donald Trump for the upcoming November general election, setting up an immediate clash at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Key details of the development:
The Ruling: A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that switching congressional maps between the August primary and the November general election violates the U.S. Constitution. The court argued that reverting to older district boundaries would disenfranchise over a million voters who would be unable to vote for the nominees chosen during the primary.
Temporary Stay: The ruling does not take effect immediately. The appellate panel put its decision on hold for one week to give opponents time to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Conflict with Prior Rulings: The Missouri Supreme Court previously blocked the new map because voters had qualified a citizen referendum challenging it under the state constitution, directing officials to use the older district lines. The U.S. Supreme Court had previously declined to overturn that state court order.
Political and Practical Stakes: The new map was drawn to favor Republicans by dismantling the Kansas City-based 5th Congressional District, currently held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, and splitting it into surrounding conservative rural areas.
Election Disruption: Opponents, led by the civic group People Not Politicians, noted that ballots have already been printed and distributed to overseas and military voters under the older map, warning that a last-minute change would cause severe administrative chaos. They have confirmed they will file an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to block the appeals court decision.