Missouri’s congressional map fight erupts again weeks before election

Missouri’s congressional map fight is once again headed toward the U.S. Supreme Court, with the November election just weeks away.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that Missouri must use the Republican-drawn 2025 congressional map, saying the state cannot use one set of districts for the August primary and another for the general election.

But the ruling is on hold for one week, giving opponents time to appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court has already twice blocked the 2025 map from being used in November.

For now, Missouri election officials are still preparing to use the older 2022 map. Military and overseas ballots have already been sent under those district lines.

The 2025 map reshapes the Kansas City-area 5th Congressional District and was drawn after Missouri lawmakers approved a mid-decade redistricting plan last year.

The Missouri Supreme Court previously ruled the 2022 map remains in effect unless voters approve the new map in November.

That leaves Missouri voters and election officials waiting on what could be one final ruling from the nation’s highest court.