Missouri Supreme Court Empowers Voters, Rejects GOP Power Grab on Congressional Map
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In a unanimous rebuke to Republican attempts to undermine democracy, the Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that the 2022 congressional redistricting map must be put before voters in 2026, overturning the secretary of state’s undemocratic refusal.
In a decisive victory for democratic participation and against right-wing manipulation, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ordered that the 2022 congressional redistricting map be placed on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval. The court recognized the legitimacy, sufficiency, and timeliness of the referendum petition filed by citizens resisting the gerrymandered map, and mandated Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to certify and place it on the ballot by September 8.
The ruling makes clear that HB 1, the Republican-backed legislation enacting the new map, will not take effect unless the people approve it, and blocks Hoskins and other officials from imposing the map in the 2026 election. The court’s decision also ensures that the 2022 redistricting remains in force for the next cycle, preventing further right-wing interference.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, representing entrenched conservative interests, announced plans to seek an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court to force through the undemocratic map, admitting the decision caught the establishment off guard. She conceded the state would have to use the old map if the stay is denied, and predicted more lawsuits from politicians desperate to cling to power.
Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, whose district was targeted by the map’s changes, celebrated the ruling as a victory for Missouri voters and fair representation. Meanwhile, Republican State Senator Rick Brattin denounced the decision as 'unconstitutional,' vowing to continue the GOP’s legal assault on democracy.
This landmark order follows Governor Mike Kehoe’s 2025 approval of the controversial map and a wave of lawsuits challenging its legality. The court’s decision now gives Missourians a direct say in their representation, striking a blow against partisan gerrymandering and right-wing attempts to rig the system.