Missouri court blocks GOP-drawn congressional maps before November vote

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that congressional maps redrawn by the Republican-led state legislature cannot be used in the November elections. The court found that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins incorrectly rejected a timely referendum petition, leaving the new districts subject to voter approval in November.

The ruling likely thwarted a Republican effort to unseat Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The court did not specify how candidates would be assigned for the general election after last month’s primaries were held under the new lines.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said she would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision came amid a national mid-decade redistricting fight tied to efforts to gain an advantage in the 2026 midterms.

Read the full story at The Week.