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The contentious battle over Missouri's congressional redistricting map is once again heading to the Supreme Court. A federal appeals panel on Wednesday refused to halt an order that requires Missouri Republicans to proceed with their newly drawn map, which was utilized during the August primary. Opponents of the map are now seeking intervention from the Supreme Court after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the map cannot be implemented unless voters approve it.
The legal wrangling intensified as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who handles emergency matters from Missouri, was asked to respond to the situation. The Missouri Supreme Court had previously ordered that the old districts be used, citing a petition with over 300,000 signatures demanding a statewide vote on the new map. Despite this, U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark issued a temporary restraining order allowing the new districts to be used, creating confusion among election officials.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway argued that switching districts between the primary and general elections would cause chaos and violate federal rights. However, the Missouri Supreme Court maintained that the new districts, drawn to favor Republicans, cannot take effect until approved by voters. The court's decision led to a referendum being placed on the November ballot as Proposition A.
The redistricting map has been a point of contention since it was drawn to potentially increase Republican seats in Congress, particularly targeting the 5th Congressional District held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The legal battle is part of a broader national redistricting effort initiated by President Donald Trump, affecting several states.
As the legal dispute continues, the outcome remains uncertain, with potential implications for Missouri's congressional representation. The Supreme Court's decision could determine whether the new map will be used in the upcoming general election.