A federal appeals court for the 8th U.S. Circuit ruled on Monday that Missouri must use the 2025 congressional map in the November elections, which gives Republicans an advantage of 7 to 1.
The decision came despite the U.S. Supreme Court declining twice this month to intervene in the dispute. The new map was already used in last month's primaries and effectively erases the district of Democrat Emanuel Cleaver in Kansas City.
Earlier, the Missouri Supreme Court had ordered the use of the 2022 map, which gave Republicans an advantage of 6 to 2. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed that decision to take effect, but the appeals court interpreted the high court's position differently.
The judges of the 8th Circuit noted that the 2025 map minimizes confusion for voters, since they had already voted under it in the primaries, filed to run in the elections, and received campaign materials. "Any confusion stems from the state court's latest decision to change the map," the ruling states.
Opponents were given a week to seek further relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. How will this affect the final balance in Congress?
The decision highlights the tension between federal and state courts over redistricting ahead of the elections.
