Supreme Court blocks Missouri’s attempt to use Republican-drawn congressional map

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had sought to use the new map despite the state’s Supreme Court saying he is barred from doing so.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked an attempt by a Republican state official in Missouri to use a newly drawn GOP congressional map for this year’s elections.

The court, in a brief order with no noted dissents, granted an emergency request brought by a group called People Not Politicians, led by activist Richard von Glahn.

The decision puts on hold a decision by Missouri-based U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark, who ruled Tuesday that the new map must be used, notwithstanding the Missouri Supreme Court’s having reached the opposite conclusion.

The justices’ swift action signals the end of the battle over which congressional map to use in the midterm elections in November, with the state set to use the previous map from 2022, which includes six seats held by Republicans and two held by Democrats.

As a result of the Supreme Court action, “my office is directing local election authorities to use the 2022 congressional map,” Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, said in a statement.