<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A federal appeals court in Missouri ruled on September 21, 2026, that the state’s newest congressional map must be used in the upcoming November elections, setting the stage for a potential hearing before the Supreme Court.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The dispute over the new map, which was passed by the legislature in 2025 and is perceived to favor Republicans, has been ongoing for several months. Critics argue that the map should be approved by voters in a statewide referendum before implementation and that the previous 2022 maps should be utilized for the November election.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In August 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered the use of the old maps for the fall elections. However, shortly after, U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark ruled that the new maps should be used, a temporary restraining order that was upheld this week by the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This ruling is expected to lead to a Supreme Court hearing, as the higher court had previously put Clark’s ruling on hold and declined to block the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The appeals court stated, “This Court holds that Missouri’s current plan to use the 2022 map in the November 2026 general election violates the Constitution. Only use of the 2025 map complies with the Constitution and federal law.” The court emphasized that using a different congressional district map in the November 2026 general election than what was used in the August 2026 primary election is not permitted under the Constitution.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The three-judge panel of the appeals court consists of judges appointed by Republican presidents, including two appointed by former President Donald Trump.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Following the appeals court's ruling, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins is expected to seek Supreme Court intervention to block the new maps. The 2025 map redraws political lines to provide Republicans with a 7-1 advantage over Democrats in the House, compared to a 6-2 advantage under the 2022 maps.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO) and state Sen. Rick Brattin have advocated for the use of the 2025 maps, Hoskins has indicated he plans to proceed with the 2022 maps for the November elections, following the Supreme Court’s earlier guidance.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The ongoing situation has significant implications for Missouri’s elections this year. Voters used the 2025 maps during the August primaries, which could create complications if the state resorts to the 2022 maps for the November elections. Conversely, if the state must switch to the 2025 maps at the last minute, challenges may arise as many residents have already cast early votes based on Hoskins’s decision to use the 2022 maps, and numerous ballots have been printed using the older maps.</p>