Missouri congressional map battle deepens as courts issue conflicting orders ahead of midterms

WASHINGTON, DC: Competing court orders on Tuesday, September 8, have left Missouri’s congressional map uncertain less than two months before the November 2026 midterm elections, with state and federal courts issuing conflicting directives over which district map should be used.

A federal judge temporarily blocked Missouri from using its old congressional districts, ordering the state to use a new map backed by Republicans and President Donald Trump.

The order came shortly after the US Supreme Court let stand a decision from the Missouri Supreme Court ordering the old districts to be used instead of the new ones favored by Trump.

Missouri map battle leaves election officials caught between rulings

District Judge Stephen Clark, a Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order barring Missouri from using anything other than the new congressional map.

The order will remain in effect for 14 days, giving the courts additional time to consider the dispute.

Clark said changing the congressional districts between the August primary and November general election could create significant problems for candidates and voters.

“Using a different map for the general election would wreak havoc on the fairness and orderliness of Missouri’s congressional elections, calling into question the candidacy of those nominated in the primaries and the votes of those who voted in the primaries,” Clark wrote.

“Widespread voter confusion would inevitably follow.”

The new districts were also used during Missouri’s August primary, and election officials have already certified the winners.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said the state “is prepared to follow and comply with” Clark’s order, which she said “binds the state to using” the new congressional districts.

Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who oversees elections, called the federal ruling a victory that “halts a full-on constitutional crisis.”

He also immediately notified local election officials that they were required to use the new map. 

But the Missouri Supreme Court’s earlier order remains in effect.

The state’s top court ruled that the new districts could not be used after determining that citizens had submitted enough petition signatures to seek a statewide vote on the map.

Missouri Supreme Court blocks new congressional map

However, the Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal from Missouri Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, leaving in place the injunction from the Missouri Supreme Court.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who handles cases from Missouri, did not provide a reason for declining to intervene.

People Not Politicians, the group behind the referendum petition, quickly challenged Clark’s order. Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents the group, said, “an individual federal judge cannot overrule the Missouri Supreme Court.”

The group’s leader also asked the Missouri Supreme Court to hold Hoskins in contempt after he instructed local election officials to use the new districts.

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice W Brent Powell subsequently ordered Hoskins to appear in person and explain why he should not be held in contempt for doing so on Thursday, September 10.

The dispute stems from a redistricting effort pushed by Trump and Missouri Republican leaders.

Governor Mike Kehoe called a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries, with the revised map targeting Democratic Rep Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based 5th Congressional District.