Conflicting court decisions have left Missouri officials and candidates uncertain about which congressional map will be used for the 2026 midterm elections. The U.S. Supreme Court declined on September 8 to overturn a state court ruling that blocked a 2025 redistricting plan, which effectively reverted the state to a 2022 map for the general election. However, a federal judge ruled the same day that the newer 2025 map must be used because it was the basis for the August primaries.
The dispute follows a 2025 redistricting effort by the Republican-led legislature that sought to increase GOP seats from 6-2 to 7-1 by altering the district of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). A group called People Not Politicians Missouri gathered signatures for a referendum to veto the new lines. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) initially refused to process the measure, prompting the Missouri Supreme Court to rule unanimously that the referendum was valid and the new map must be stayed pending a public vote.
While the state high court focused on state law, U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark ruled that changing maps after the primary would violate candidates' rights. As of September 12, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Governor Mike Kehoe (R) stated the 2025 map would be used, while Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon reported receiving guidance from the secretary of state's office to prepare ballots using the 2022 lines. A hearing on litigation filed by Republican candidates Bob Onder and Rick Brattin is scheduled for Thursday, September 17.
Local election officials face logistical pressures as they must finalize ballots for military and overseas voters by September 19. Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon noted that while her county prints ballots in-house, those relying on outside vendors face increased costs for last-minute revisions. Candidates report being forced to re-introduce themselves to constituents in areas they previously believed were no longer part of their districts. Rep. Bob Onder stated that the "chaos" could lead to lower voter turnout due to confusion at the polls.
The legal conflict involves whether a voter-led referendum can halt a legislatively approved redistricting map that has already been used in a primary. With the primary results certified on September 8 based on the 2025 lines, it remains unclear if those results will stand if the 2022 map is ultimately enforced. Following the scheduled hearing on September 17, the matter could return to the U.S. Supreme Court before the general election in November.