Missouri’s congressional map dispute returns to the Supreme Court after an appeals court ordered use of a GOP‑drawn map, while the Court previously allowed the older, Democrat‑favored map to be used.
A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled Monday night that Missouri must use district boundaries redrawn last year to give Republicans an advantage in the November election, reopening the legal battle over the state’s congressional map.
The Supreme Court has twice previously cleared a path for Missouri to hold its general election under an older map that would likely help Democrats retain both congressional seats. Proponents of that map asked the Court on Tuesday night to block the appeals court order, noting that ballots using the older map have already been printed and mailed, and absentee voting has begun.
Missouri’s primary in August was conducted using the newer, pro‑Republican map, meaning many voters could be choosing general‑election candidates they did not help nominate. The justices were given until the following Monday evening to decide which map will be in place for the November election.
The outcome remains uncertain pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the competing filings.