Missouri Supreme Court upholds new GOP-drawn congressional map

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a new Republican-drawn congressional map on Tuesday, ruling that state law does not explicitly prohibit lawmakers from conducting mid-decade redistricting.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a new Republican-drawn congressional map on Tuesday, ruling that state law does not explicitly prohibit lawmakers from conducting mid-decade redistricting.

The map, which Missouri's Republican governor signed into law last year, is designed to net the GOP a House seat in the 2026 midterm elections. Typically, states redraw their district lines every 10 years after a new census.

"The obligation to legislate congressional districts once a decade does not limit the General Assembly’s power to redistrict more frequently than once a decade. Simply put, 'when' does not mean 'only when,'" Judge Zel M. Fischer wrote in the majority opinion, which was signed by four judges. Three other dissented.

It’s a win for President Donald Trump, who called on Republican-controlled states last year to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the midterms, where the GOP faces a tough battle to maintain control of the House. His calls triggered a national redistricting arms race between with both parties, with six states enacting new maps in 2025.

The fight is ongoing, with voters in Virginia set to weigh in on a Democratic-drawn map next month as Republican lawmakers in Florida are preparing for special special legislative session on redistricting.