Missouri courts issue conflicting rulings on congressional map ahead of ballot deadline
The Missouri Supreme Court and a federal judge issued opposing decisions on the use of a newly drawn congressional map, creating uncertainty for November elections.
Two courts in Missouri have issued contradictory rulings on the state's newly redrawn congressional map just hours before the deadline to finalize ballots. A U.S. Supreme Court order, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, left in place a Missouri Supreme Court decision that blocks the map while a ballot initiative seeking voter rejection of the districts proceeds.
In a separate case, a federal judge ruled in favor of two Republican congressional candidates who argued that the map, which was used in last month’s primaries, must remain in effect for the November election to avoid constitutional violations. The state-level case focuses on Missouri law, whereas the federal case raises questions under the U.S. Constitution.
"The map was in place for last month’s primaries and therefore must be used in November to avoid constitutional violations," the GOP candidates said in court filings.
The divergent rulings leave election officials uncertain about which district boundaries to apply for upcoming ballots.