Missouri Supreme Court Blocks Republican Congressional Map, Orders November Vote

The Missouri Supreme Court on Sept. 3 unanimously blocked a congressional map backed by President Donald Trump from being used in the Nov. 3 midterm elections and ordered a statewide referendum on the plan.

The ruling, which may hinder Republican efforts to maintain their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, could help longtime Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) retain his seat. His Kansas City-based district had been broken up under the redrawn map.

In the case, known as von Glahn v. Hoskins, the court ruled the map has to be approved by voters in a referendum in November before it can become effective.

In her written opinion, Judge Ginger Gooch said a citizen petition to place House Bill 1, the redistricting plan, on the ballot was “legal, sufficient, and timely,” and that the 2025 map approved by the state Legislature “is not the law and has never been the law.”

“There is only one valid congressional redistricting in effect—the congressional redistricting the General Assembly established in 2022,” she said.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said the state will seek emergency review at the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Never before in American history has a court overturned a congressional map after a primary and before a general election,” she said in a post on X.

“This unprecedented decision clearly violates federal law and has thrust our state into a full‑fledged constitutional crisis.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

This is a developing story that will be updated.