Missouri court blocks Trump-backed election

The Missouri Supreme Court has unanimously blocked a congressional redistricting map backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump from being used in November's midterm elections. The court's decision, issued on Thursday, restores the state's previous district boundaries and delivers a judicial rebuke in a national political fight.

Republicans have pledged to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, a Republican, called the decision a "full-fledged constitutional crisis." She stated she would appeal immediately.

The map and the petition

At issue is a map signed into law in September 2025, designed to help Republicans win an extra U.S. House seat. The effort prompted a backlash, with nearly 300,000 Missouri residents signing a petition to put the new map to a popular vote. Missouri's Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, rejected the petition as legally insufficient, triggering the court case.

The state Supreme Court ruled the petition was legal. "The referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise," the court wrote. It added that the state constitution allows such petitions and "no exception applies." The court's seven judges include five appointed by Republicans.

A looming election deadline

The ruling creates complications with the election two months away. Ballots will soon be printed. Legal questions remain over whether a general election can use different districts than the primaries did. The group People Not Politicians, which spearheaded the referendum, applauded the court. It blamed Hoskins for the confusion.

"Hoskins had the power to prevent all this confusion months ago, and he chose not to," the group said. Critics note Hoskins did not reject the referendum until August 4, the day of the party primaries. The 2025 map had already shaped those primary contests.

Political reactions and national context

Former President Trump denounced the ruling on social media. He called it "horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional." Trump had triggered a nationwide redistricting fight last year by encouraging Republican-led states to redraw maps mid-decade to gain an advantage. About 10 states ultimately redistricted, most favoring Republicans. California redrew its map to skew Democratic.

Prior to this ruling, the Missouri Supreme Court had affirmed that the legislative action to change the map was lawful. U.S. Federal law does not bar partisan gerrymandering. Thursday's decision specifically upheld the legality of the petition campaign.

The court barred the 2025 map from use in November or any future election unless Missouri voters approve it first. A day before the ruling, hundreds rallied outside the court chanting, "Let us vote!" Grant Christensen, a Jefferson City resident who signed the petition, said, "Gerrymandering is the same as voter suppression."

The legal battle is most key for Missouri's 5th congressional district, held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver. The 2025 map had reshaped his Kansas City district to favor Republicans.