Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging it to reinstate a congressional redistricting map supported by former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders. The appeal follows a decision by the Missouri Supreme Court to block the map, ordering a statewide vote in November on its adoption.
Hanaway requested that the U.S. Supreme Court immediately halt the state court's ruling, which she stated was a "catastrophic ruling" that jeopardizes timely and lawful congressional elections. The appeal aims to ensure the map can be used for the upcoming midterm elections, with a Tuesday deadline for changes to the November ballot.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, responsible for hearing appeals from the region, has requested responses from opponents of the map by Monday. The Missouri high court's decision on Thursday was part of a broader redistricting debate nationally, driven in part by Trump's efforts to bolster Republican chances in the midterms. The GOP intended for the new Missouri map to secure an additional congressional seat, potentially strengthening their slim House majority.
The state Supreme Court ruled that a referendum petition, submitted in December with over 300,000 signatures, required voter approval for the new districts to take effect. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had initially rejected the petition, contending that Missouri's constitution does not permit referendum petitions on congressional redistricting. However, the state Supreme Court overturned his decision, stating the petition was "legal, sufficient, and timely."
Although the newly drawn districts were utilized in the state's primaries last month, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled they cannot be used in the November general election unless voters approve them. The court noted that the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census will remain in effect for the 2026 general election.
Former President Trump described the Missouri Supreme Court's ruling as "ridiculous" and unconstitutional, citing insufficient time to implement a new map before the November elections. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe expressed "extreme disappointment" with the decision, criticizing what he called a "lack of respect for the legislative process" by "unelected judges."
The redistricting effort specifically targeted the Kansas City-area district of longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, aiming to incorporate more rural, right-leaning voters. This alteration was intended to make the district more favorable to Republicans, with the goal of achieving a 7-1 Republican advantage in the state's congressional delegation. Emanuel Cleaver commented that "more than 305,000 Missourians demanded a say in who will represent them in the halls of Congress" and that the outcome "reaffirms that the people should choose their politicians, not the other way around."