8th Circuit Revives Missouri GOP Map, Defying Supreme Court Pauses
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered Missouri to use a Republican-favored congressional map for the 2026 midterms, overriding a recent Supreme Court pause. This decision effectively revives a plan that the Supreme Court had previously blocked twice, potentially eliminating Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based district. The ruling follows a 7-0 decision by the Missouri Supreme Court that invalidated the new map, citing procedural irregularities by the state secretary. While the 8th Circuit argues the new map minimizes voter confusion, the Supreme Court is expected to review the case again, with opponents given one week to seek relief.