Missouri AG appeals to U.S. Supreme Court over congressional map ruling

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to block a state Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s congressional maps. The Missouri Supreme Court previously ruled that newly redrawn maps cannot be used in the upcoming November midterm elections, ordering that the state must instead use its 2022 district lines. This decision follows a ruling that a citizen-led referendum challenging the Republican-led legislature’s 2025 map is legally valid and must appear on the ballot.

The contested maps, which had the backing of Donald Trump, were designed to potentially increase Republican control in the state from six of eight seats to seven of eight. One significant change involved the Kansas City-area district held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, which the new lines would have made more favorable to the GOP.

Hanaway characterized the situation as a “federal-election-administration disaster” and a “constitutional crisis,” arguing that changing boundaries after the August primaries could disenfranchise voters. The Attorney General is seeking an emergency stay to allow the new maps to be implemented for the general election.