The Missouri Supreme Court has blocked the state’s new congressional map from being used in the November 2026 general election. The court also ordered officials to put the map before voters in a statewide referendum.
The decision deals a major blow to Missouri Republicans and President Donald Trump’s redistricting strategy. Republicans had hoped the new map would give them a stronger chance of winning another U.S. House seat.
| What happened? | The Missouri Supreme Court blocked the new congressional map from being used in the November 2026 election. |
| Where? | Missouri, United States |
| When? | September 2026 |
| Who is involved? | Missouri Supreme Court, Republican lawmakers, President Donald Trump, Catherine Hanaway, and Denny Hoskins. |
| Current status | The previous congressional map remains in effect for the November general election. |
| Why it matters | The ruling could affect Missouri's House races and the national battle for control of Congress. |
| Next step | Republican officials plan to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. |
Missouri Supreme Court Rejects New Congressional Map
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that opponents legally submitted more than 300,000 signatures for a referendum on the new congressional districts.
Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had rejected the petition in August. He argued that Missouri’s referendum process could not be used to challenge congressional redistricting.
The justices ruled that Missouri’s constitutional referendum provision covers legislative acts, including the law that created the new congressional districts.
So, the new map will not take effect unless Missouri voters approve it.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said she would appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hanaway argued that the decision creates serious constitutional concerns. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe also criticized the ruling.
President Donald Trump attacked the decision on his Truth Social account. He said the court had improperly restored the previous congressional boundaries.
Referendum Campaign Led to Court Fight
The dispute began after Missouri lawmakers approved a new congressional map during a special legislative session.
The changes focused heavily on the 5th Congressional District. The district had long been represented by Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from the Kansas City area.
Cleaver had won at least 60 percent of the vote in his district in each of the previous two elections.
Under the new map, the district gained large areas with more Republican voters. An Associated Press estimate said about 59 percent of voters in the redesigned district were new.
Opponents responded by collecting more than 300,000 signatures. They wanted voters to decide whether the new map should remain in place.
Redistricting Fight Has National Impact
Missouri’s dispute is part of a much larger political battle.
Congressional districts are normally redrawn after the national census. Trump’s push for mid decade redistricting has changed that pattern.
More than a dozen states have faced political or legal fights over congressional maps.
Republicans hoped favorable maps would improve their chances of keeping control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections.
Missouri has six Republican representatives and two Democratic representatives in the House. Any change to the state’s districts could therefore have national consequences.
Missouri Court Blocks Trump Backed House Map
Missouri Republican officials are expected to continue their legal challenge.
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide whether the Missouri ruling stands that way. Election officials must prepare for the November election under the previous congressional map unless a later court decision changes the situation.
The Missouri Supreme Court has stopped the new Trump-backed congressional map from being used in the November 2026 election.
For now, the map created after the 2020 census remains in effect.
