Appeals court backs Missouri’s GOP congressional map

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

An appeals court upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri aimed at maintaining the party’s slim House majority, but its use in the upcoming midterms is paused pending further Supreme Court review. The decision could reshape key districts, including the dismantling of a longtime Democratic seat, making the legal outcome critical as absentee voting begins in a politically competitive state.

An appeals court on September 21 upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri designed to help the party maintain its narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the map will not be implemented for the upcoming midterm elections without further action from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in St. Louis, ruled in favor of the GOP map, which was created in 2025 as part of an effort supported by former President Donald Trump to redraw district boundaries in favor of Republican candidates. The new map notably dismantled the Kansas City-based district of longtime Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

Earlier this month, Missouri’s highest court unanimously blocked the map, agreeing with challengers who argued that the redistricting plan must be approved by voters in a November referendum before it can take effect. Following that decision, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction requiring Missouri to use the Republican-drawn map for the midterms. The U.S. Supreme Court then placed a hold on that federal order, leading state officials to revert to using the previous congressional boundaries that preserved Cleaver’s district.

The 8th Circuit Court’s latest decision directs the lower court to issue a permanent injunction allowing the Republican map to be used. Nonetheless, implementation of the ruling will remain paused until September 28 at 5 p.m. local time to allow the Supreme Court additional time to consider the matter. It remains uncertain whether Missouri Republicans or opponents of the map will request that the Supreme Court intervene again before Election Day.

Missouri plans to begin mailing absentee ballots this month, adding urgency to the resolution of the legal disputes over the state’s congressional districts. The outcome will directly affect the configuration of districts for a state pivotal in the closely contested battle to control both chambers of Congress.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.