The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked new congressional districts backed by Donald Trump from being used in the November general election, ruling that the maps must first be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. The decision restores the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census for the upcoming election cycle.
Missouri Supreme Court Overturns Redistricting Rejection
The court ruled that a referendum petition containing over 300,000 signatures was “legal, sufficient, and timely.” These signatures were submitted in December to challenge the maps passed by the Republican-led Legislature. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had previously rejected the petition, arguing that the referendum process could not be applied to congressional redistricting.
While a lower court initially agreed with Hoskins, the state’s highest court overturned that decision. The justices determined that the Missouri Constitution’s provision allowing a referendum on “any act” of the Legislature includes redistricting laws. Consequently, the court stated the new legislation “did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters.”
Impact on House Majority and the 5th District
Republicans intended the new boundaries to help the party secure an additional seat to protect a slim majority in the U.S. House. A primary target of the redraw was the 5th Congressional District, held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver. Gov. Mike Kehoe called a special session last year to reconfigure this Kansas City-based district, where Cleaver has historically won with at least 60% of the vote.
Because the court blocked the maps for the general election, the 2020 census maps remain in effect.
Legal Challenges and Political Reactions
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, a Republican, stated she will immediately appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hanaway asserted the decision has created a “full-fledged constitutional crisis” and claimed it is an “unprecedented violation of federal law” to overturn a map after primaries have already occurred.
Donald Trump criticized the ruling on Truth Social, stating the justices “ridiculously ruled in favor of changing the maps back to what they were a long time ago.” Trump added that the “Election Process, as usual, is being disturbed in America!”
Conversely, Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, described the ruling as “what democracy looks like,” stating that voters, not politicians, will have the final say.
Comparison of Redistricting Positions
| Entity | Position on Referendum | Legal Argument |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Supreme Court | Permissible | Constitutional “any act” clause includes redistricting. |
| Sec. of State Denny Hoskins | Impermissible | Referendum process cannot be used for congressional maps. |
| AG Catherine Hanaway | Impermissible | Violation of federal law; creates constitutional crisis. |
Additional Ballot Measure Ruling
The court’s Thursday action extended beyond redistricting. The Missouri Supreme Court also ruled that Secretary Hoskins wrongly rejected a separate petition. This second measure, which aims to make it more difficult for politicians to alter voter-enacted citizen initiatives, will also appear on the November ballot.
