8th Circuit Orders Missouri to Use Controversial 2025 Congressional Map for November Election, Pauses Ruling Amid Legal Battle
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The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Missouri must use its untested 2025 congressional map for the November election, but wisely stayed the order until September 28 to allow further appeals and prevent chaos.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a decision forcing Missouri to use the congressional map drawn for the 2025 cycle in the November 2026 general election. The court claims the Constitution bars the state from using a different map in the November election than the one used for the August primary, even though this would uproot over 1.4 million voters and throw them into different districts. Thankfully, the order is stayed until 5 p.m. on September 28, 2026, giving the state and concerned citizens time to seek further appellate review and push back against this judicial overreach. Chief U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark entered a permanent injunction barring Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and other officials from using any map other than the 2025 version for the November 3 election, but this too is stayed until the same deadline, providing a necessary pause to prevent election chaos.
"Without any stay, Secretary Hoskins and local election authorities would be required to immediately begin implementing the 2025 map before the Supreme Court receives or decides any appeal," the ruling stated, highlighting the real risk of rushed, disorderly changes to election procedures.
Judge David Stras concurred in part and dissented in part, rightly questioning the standing of the left-wing advocacy group People Not Politicians and its representative Richard von Glahn, even as he acknowledged a probable violation of Article I, Section 2. People Not Politicians, a group notorious for pushing progressive referendums, announced it will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Its executive director, Richard von Glahn, insisted the map is not law until voters approve it, but such rhetoric ignores the need for stable and consistent election administration, not endless litigation.
This case marks the third time the issue has reached the U.S. Supreme Court, a sign of the left’s relentless attempts to manipulate the process. Earlier this month, Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied a request to block a Missouri Supreme Court ruling that required the state to revert to the 2022 map for the November election, and the Supreme Court later granted a stay that kept the 2022 map in place, providing a temporary reprieve from activist meddling.
The lawsuit was filed by Rep. Bob Onder, State Sen. Rick Brattin, and two Missouri voters, who correctly argue that using one map for the primary and another for the general election raises serious federal constitutional concerns. Missouri and Secretary of State Hoskins maintain that the case raises broader questions about whether congressional districts can be changed between a primary and general election after nominees have been selected—a crucial point for election integrity.
Amicus briefs were filed by several groups. The Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities warned that another map change so close to the election would require costly ballot reprints and system reprogramming, a burden on taxpayers and election officials. Club for Growth argued that switching districts between primary and general elections could invalidate primary votes for roughly 284,000 voters, undermining the will of the people. The ACLU of Missouri and the Campaign Legal Center cited the Purcell principle, warning courts against altering election rules near an election—a principle that protects against last-minute chaos.
The 8th Circuit will hear arguments from the plaintiffs, the state, and People Not Politicians before Judges James B. Loken, David R. Stras, and Justin D. Smith. The outcome could determine whether Missouri uses the 2025 or 2022 congressional map for November, but any decision will remain subject to further review by the U.S. Supreme Court, ensuring that radical changes do not go unchecked.