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Missouri Redistricting Dispute: State and Federal Courts Clash Over the 2025 Map
By Drooid · · How we work
Court Orders Determine Missouri’s 2026 Congressional Map
Republican officials drew a 2025 congressional map that would have given the GOP seven of eight U.S. House seats. Opponents gathered more than 300,000 signatures to force a statewide referendum, arguing the map violated the state constitution. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on September 3 that the petition was valid, that the 2025 map (House Bill 1) “never went into effect,” and that the 2022 map must govern the November 2026 election unless voters approve the new districts.
A federal district judge issued a temporary restraining order directing the Secretary of State to use the 2025 map for the November election, putting Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in direct conflict with the state court.
On September 10, the Missouri Supreme Court held Hoskins in civil contempt for following the federal order, but declared his later directive to use the 2022 map “purged” the contempt, imposing no penalty.
Background & Context
- 2025 redistricting: Enacted during a special session, the plan—known as “HB 1” or the “Missouri First” map—re-configured the Kansas City-based 5th District, shifting the partisan split from 6-2 to 7-1.
- Referendum petition: Collected over 300,000 signatures in late 2025 and was submitted in December 2025. Missouri law permits a referendum on any act of the General Assembly, including redistricting.
- Secretary of State’s role: Hoskins rejected the petition on August 4 2026, arguing the state constitution barred referenda on congressional redistricting. The state Supreme Court later found that rejection improper.
Official Statements & Responses
- Denny Hoskins explained that after the U.S. Supreme Court’s stay, his office would follow the state court’s order and use the 2022 map.
- Chief Justice W. Brent Powell noted Hoskins “corrected his contemptuous conduct” by directing use of the 2022 districts.
Criticism & Opposition
- Rep. Bob Onder expressed optimism that the legal battle would ultimately favor his side.
- State Sen. Rick Brattin warned that holding Hoskins in contempt would “upset the constitutional balance” and threatened impeachment of any justice who imposed the contempt finding.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Federal vs. state orders: The federal district court ordered use of the 2025 map, while the Missouri Supreme Court ordered the opposite. Sources differ on whether Hoskins could have awaited a higher-court resolution before issuing any directive; the state court concluded he could have “waited” and labeled his claim of compliance “disingenuous.”
- Future of the referendum: The 2025 map remains on the November ballot for voter approval, but no source clarifies how a “yes” vote would interact with the pending 8th Circuit appeal.
What’s Next
- The case is slated for oral argument before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later this month.
- Missouri voters will decide the fate of the 2025 map in the November 2026 ballot referendum.
- Election officials must finalize ballots using the 2022 districts while monitoring any appellate rulings that could alter the map before the November election.