A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Missouri to use a Republican-backed congressional map, but the plan remains on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether it can take effect before the November midterm elections.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis ruled in favor of the map on Monday, directing a lower court to put a permanent injunction in place allowing the Republican-drawn boundaries. The appellate ruling, however, will remain paused until 5 p.m. Central Time on September 28, giving the Supreme Court additional time to intervene.
The dispute has created uncertainty over which congressional districts Missouri will use as election preparations accelerate. Republicans are seeking to preserve their narrow House majority, while the redistricting fight centers on a map designed to improve the party’s prospects in the state.
Missouri Republicans approved the new boundaries in 2025 as part of a broader redistricting effort supported by President Donald Trump. Among the most consequential changes was the dismantling of a Kansas City-area district held for years by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.
Missouri’s highest court intervened earlier this month, unanimously blocking the new map. The state justices agreed with opponents who argued that the revised boundaries must first receive voter approval through a November referendum before they can be implemented.
A federal judge subsequently issued an order preventing the state court ruling from taking effect and instructed Missouri to use the Republican-backed map for the midterm elections. The Supreme Court later paused that order, leaving state officials to indicate that they would instead rely on the previous congressional boundaries, which preserve Cleaver’s district.
The Supreme Court’s pause remains in place.
The appeals court’s latest decision therefore does not immediately settle which map Missouri will use. Its temporary stay gives the nation’s highest court a window to decide whether further action is necessary.
The timing is particularly sensitive because Missouri is scheduled to begin distributing ballots to military personnel, overseas voters and absentee voters this month.
At a September 17 hearing, the three-judge appeals panel acknowledged the compressed election calendar. The panel included two judges appointed by Trump during his first presidential term and a judge appointed by former President George H.W. Bush.
Unless the Supreme Court acts sooner, the appeals court’s ruling is scheduled to move forward after the September 28 deadline.
