The Missouri Supreme Court handed Democrats a major victory Thursday by blocking a Republican-backed congressional map from being used in the November midterm elections, ruling that the map must first be approved by voters. The unanimous decision means Missouri will instead use its previous congressional boundaries for the 2026 general election, dealing a setback to Republicans who had hoped the new map would help them gain a seat in the U.S. Trump sharply criticized the ruling in a post to Truth Social on Thursday night, calling it a “Dark Day for ‘Justice’ in Missouri!” He also called the decision “horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional,” while arguing that it would disrupt the election process by forcing changes to congressional districts so close to the midterms.
The decision adds Missouri to a growing national fight over congressional maps ahead of the midterms, as both parties seek to use redistricting to improve their chances of controlling the House. The redistricting plan, backed by Trump and approved by Missouri Republicans, was designed to make the state’s congressional delegation more favorable to the GOP. The map would have dismantled the Kansas City-based district held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, reports.
Cleaver welcomed Thursday’s ruling, saying in part, “Democracy prevails.” Judge Ginger Gooch wrote in part in one of the opinions of the court, "This Court reverses the circuit court’s judgment. The referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise. HB 1 did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters.
The congressional redistricting the General Assembly established in 2022 remains in full force and effect for the November 2026 general election." Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Thursday night for comment. The ruling came after opponents of the map, organized under the group People Not Politicians, submitted enough signatures seeking a referendum. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, rejected the petition, arguing that the state constitution’s referendum provisions did not apply to congressional redistricting, noted.
The state’s highest court rejected that argument, finding that the petition was legal, sufficient and timely. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said Republicans will appeal the decision to the U.S. This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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