Supreme Court Halts Missouri’s 2025 Redistricting Plan, Preserving 2022 Map for Midterms

Key points

• The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order with no noted dissents, blocking the use of the 2025 congressional map in Missouri for the 2026 election.
• The Court mandated the use of the 2022 map, which currently yields six Republican and two Democratic seats, instead of the 2025 map that would have created a 7-1 Republican advantage.
• The decision relies on the 'Purcell principle,' warning against last-minute changes to voting rules when elections are already underway, including absentee and military voting.
• The 2025 map, approved by the state legislature and supported by President Trump, targeted the 5th Congressional District to shift it from Democratic to Republican control.
• Missouri officials and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals argued that using different maps for the primary and general elections would disenfranchise voters, but the Supreme Court prioritized the stability of the 2022 map.

Background

This is the third time this month the Supreme Court has intervened in the Missouri redistricting dispute. Earlier in September, the Court blocked the 2025 map after a Missouri Supreme Court ruling required a referendum on the new boundaries. The legal battle intensified when federal courts briefly ordered the use of the 2025 map, creating a conflict between state and federal judicial orders. The current decision follows a rapid series of appeals, with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the 2022 map violated the Constitution because it differed from the map used in the August primary. The Supreme Court’s latest order overrides these lower court decisions, ensuring the 2022 map remains in effect for the November 3 general election.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and The New York Times emphasize the Supreme Court’s role in preventing 'electoral chaos' and upholding the 2022 map, noting that ballots have already been printed and mailed. CNN highlights the 'Purcell principle' as the legal basis for the decision, framing it as a rejection of the GOP’s third attempt to capture a Democratic seat. Fox News reports the decision neutrally, noting the lack of dissents and the Court’s directive that lower courts should not require the 2025 map. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called the decision 'disappointing,' arguing that voters deserved consistency between the primary and general elections. In contrast, Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and the group People Not Politicians celebrated the ruling as a victory against 'corrupt politicians' attempting to steal a congressional seat. The outlets agree that the decision ends the immediate legal wrangling but note the potential for post-election disputes over the validity of the results.

Why it matters

The decision impacts the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, where control is expected to be determined by a few seats. By blocking the 2025 map, the Supreme Court preserved a Democratic-held seat in Kansas City, potentially affecting the overall partisan balance in the House. The ruling also sets a precedent for the use of the 'Purcell principle' in future redistricting disputes, emphasizing the importance of stability in election rules close to Election Day. It highlights the tension between state legislatures seeking to redraw maps mid-decade and federal courts prioritizing the integrity of the electoral process. The decision may also influence future cases involving redistricting in other states, where similar disputes could arise.

What to watch

Missouri will proceed with the November 3 general election using the 2022 congressional map. The state will need to manage the logistical challenges of using different maps for the primary and general elections, as noted by state officials. The decision may lead to post-election legal challenges if the results are close, particularly in the 5th Congressional District. The Supreme Court’s reliance on the 'Purcell principle' may be cited in future cases involving last-minute changes to election rules. The outcome of the midterms will determine the balance of power in the House, with the Missouri seat potentially being a swing vote in the overall tally.