Missouri’s 2022 congressional maps have been reinstated, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Friday decision that left in place the Missouri Supreme Court’s unanimous September 3 decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that the new map approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature in 2025 cannot become law unless approved by voters in the November 2026 election, leaving only the 2022 congressional map in place and in force for the November election.
The Missouri Supreme Court on September 3 reversed the Cole County Circuit Court’s decision that the state Constitution’s referendum power does not apply to the Legislature’s congressional redistricting. The state Supreme Court, in a 7-0 decision, ordered that the referendum and an initiative petition appear on the November ballot and that Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins use the 2022 congressional district map.
Democrats praise Friday’s ruling, while some Republicans have criticized it. State Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville), who is running for congress, blames this on the Missouri Supreme Court, saying they’re responsible for what he calls the chaos.