Missouri's top elections official on Thursday ordered local authorities to use the state's older congressional district map for the midterm election, after a supreme court ruling today blocked the reinstatement of a newer, Republican-favored map. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Denny Hoskins, Missouri's Republican secretary of state, had been fighting in the courts to keep the newer maps. But his office issued a statement on Thursday confirming that Missouri is now set to use its congressional district map from 2022 heading into the November elections.
Previously, the Missouri state supreme court had ruled that the newer set of maps, drawn by Missouri Republicans in 2025, couldn't be used for the 2026 election, and ordered the state to restore its 2022 congressional district boundaries. The supreme court shot down an appeal of that decision last week.
A federal judge's conflicting ruling in another case to restore the GOP-backed maps sent the matter back to the supreme court. The high court again sided against Missouri Republicans.
"Following the United States supreme court's stay, the only governing court order in effect is from the Missouri supreme court," Hoskins' office said in a statement. "In accordance with that order, my Office is directing local election authorities to use the 2022 congressional map."
The Republican-favored map drawn in 2025 came as part of a nationwide Republican redistricting push backed by Donald Trump. The new boundaries would've carved up a Kansas City-area district held by Democrats, likely winning Missouri Republicans an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
Earlier on Thursday, Hoskins appeared before the Missouri Supreme Court in a contempt hearing over his failure to immediately enact the court's order to restore the 2022 maps.
This situation reflects the intensifying political battle ahead of the US midterm elections. The dispute over the congressional map in Missouri is one manifestation of the struggle for representation between Republicans and Democrats. The supreme court's ruling obligated the state to use the 2022 map, which could affect the outcome of the November elections.
According to experts, this decision could strengthen Democrats' position in Missouri, as under the 2022 map the Kansas City-area district remains under Democratic control. However, Republicans may intend to take the matter back to court.
The Missouri Supreme Court had previously confirmed the illegality of the 2025 maps. The conflicting ruling by a federal judge further heightened the situation. The supreme court, for the second time, did not side with Republicans, confirming the state's use of the 2022 map.
Hoskins' office statement said he would comply with the order to use the 2022 map. This decision signifies the final determination of the state's congressional districts ahead of the November midterm elections.