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Missouri asks US Supreme Court to permit Trump-backed congressional map

The emergency appeal follows a state high court ruling ordering a November referendum and reverting boundaries.

Updated Sep 5, 2026 · 05:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Missouri filed an emergency appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the use of a new, Trump-backed congressional map in the upcoming midterms.[Associated Press]
  • The state supreme court blocked the boundaries after opponents submitted over 300,000 petition signatures, mandating a November referendum and reverting to post-2020 census lines.[Associated Press]
  • State officials argue the ruling creates unprecedented election disruption ahead of a Tuesday statutory deadline for ballot adjustments.[Associated Press]
  • Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh instructed critics of the new map to file their response by Monday.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • Missouri appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to permit the use of newly drawn congressional boundaries backed by President Donald Trump.[Associated Press]
  • The Missouri Supreme Court ordered that the map be put to a statewide referendum in November and mandated using older post-2020 census districts for the general election.[Associated Press]
  • Over 300,000 petition signatures were gathered by opponents to suspend the map and trigger a public vote.[Associated Press]
  • Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had previously rejected the petition, asserting that Missouri's constitution forbids referendum challenges against redistricting.[Associated Press]
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh requested responses from redistricting opponents by Monday, ahead of Missouri's Tuesday legal deadline for finalizing ballots.[Associated Press]
  • The contested boundaries reconfigure the Kansas City-area district represented by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • Missouri officials stated uncertainty over whether the state can successfully revert its congressional map in time to conduct the general election if the state court ruling stands.[Associated Press]
  • It remains unresolved whether the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a stay before the state's Tuesday ballot-change deadline.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.