Supreme Court Blocks GOP Map in Missouri for Third Time

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Republican effort to impose a 2025 congressional map in Missouri for the November midterms, marking the third time this month the court has sided against the GOP plan. The unsigned, per curiam opinion cited the Purcell principle, warning that changing voting rules after ballots have been mailed and absentee voting has begun would create electoral chaos. No dissents were noted.

The ruling ensures Missouri's current 6-2 Republican delegation advantage holds for this election, rather than a potential 7-1 split under the 2025 map. The 2022 map was drawn by a court-appointed special master after the legislature deadlocked.

“At this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos.”

The legal battle began when Missouri's Supreme Court ruled in early September that the 2022 map must be used and placed the 2025 map on the November ballot for voters to decide. Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied the state's first emergency appeal on Sept. 8. A federal district judge, Stephen Clark, then ordered the 2025 map's use in a separate case brought by GOP candidates, prompting the final Supreme Court intervention.