Supreme Court blocks Missouri's GOP-favored congressional map for the third time

Key points

• The Supreme Court issued an unsigned decision blocking Missouri from using a new 7-1 Republican congressional map for the November 2026 midterms, marking the third such block this month.
• The court cited the 'Purcell principle,' warning against last-minute changes to voting rules, and noted that absentee ballots using the older 2022 map had already been printed and mailed.
• The new map would have shifted the balance from six Republican and two Democratic seats to seven Republican and one Democratic seat, specifically targeting the 5th Congressional District held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.
• Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe stated the state would comply with the order but expressed disappointment that the map would differ from the one used in the primary election, arguing voters deserved consistency.
• Opponents, including the ACLU and People Not Politicians, welcomed the decision, stating that the courts have confirmed that voters, not politicians, decide representation, and that the state's attempt to gerrymander districts was unlawful.

Background

This ruling concludes a chaotic legal battle that began in 2025 when Missouri attempted mid-decade redistricting to retain GOP control of the House. The Supreme Court had previously blocked the new map twice in September 2026, including a pause on September 10 and a denial on September 8. The dispute involved conflicting rulings from state and federal courts, with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals initially ordering the use of the new map, only for the Supreme Court to intervene again. The case highlighted tensions between lower courts and the Supreme Court's emergency docket, reminiscent of earlier controversies involving Justice Neil Gorsuch.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post and CNN emphasized the finality of the Supreme Court's decision, noting that the court's unsigned order and citation of the 'Purcell principle' effectively ended the legal saga. CNN highlighted the loss for President Trump and the Republican Party, while The Washington Post focused on the confusion caused for voters. The Guardian provided additional context on the reactions from advocacy groups, quoting the ACLU and Campaign Legal Center, who praised the decision as a safeguard for democratic representation. All sources agreed that the ruling preserved the 2022 map, but they differed in their emphasis on the political implications for the Trump administration and the broader implications for mid-decade redistricting efforts.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court's decision ensures that Missouri will use the 2022 congressional map for the November 2026 midterms, preserving a Democratic-leaning district and preventing a shift to a 7-1 Republican advantage. This ruling underscores the court's reluctance to make last-minute changes to election rules, citing the potential for voter confusion and logistical chaos. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal courts in redistricting disputes and the impact of such cases on the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What to watch

Missouri will proceed with the 2022 congressional map for the November 2026 midterm elections. Governor Mike Kehoe has confirmed the state will comply with the Supreme Court's order. The legal battle over the map is now concluded, but the ruling may have implications for future redistricting efforts and the relationship between state and federal courts in election-related disputes. The Trump administration and Republican Party may face further challenges in their attempts to influence election outcomes through redistricting.