Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Republican Redrawn Congressional Map for 2026 Midterms

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s 2025 Republican-drawn congressional map Tuesday, clearing it for use in the November 2026 elections.

In two separate opinions, the court affirmed lower-court rulings that the “Missouri First Map” meets constitutional requirements for compactness and contiguity under Article III, Section 45. It also ruled that filing referendum petitions does not automatically suspend the map.

The legislature approved the map last year, splitting Democratic stronghold Kansas City into three districts and weakening Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s 5th District. The change is expected to give Republicans an opportunity to pick up one additional seat in the state’s eight-district delegation, where they currently hold six.

Gov. Mike Kehoe called the decision “a huge victory for voters,” saying the map better reflects Missouri values. Opponents, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and the group People Not Politicians, criticized it as partisan gerrymandering and said they will continue pursuing a referendum.

The ruling follows the court’s earlier March decision affirming the legislature’s authority for mid-decade redistricting.

Nationwide, the Missouri outcome adds to Republican gains in the ongoing redistricting battle. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 29 narrowing of the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais, GOP-led states have redrawn maps in Texas (+5 seats), Florida (+4), Alabama (+1), North Carolina (+1), and others. Democrats secured gains in California (+5) but failed in Virginia.

Overall, Republicans are positioned for a net gain of five to seven seats from redistricting alone heading into the 2026 midterms, strengthening their narrow House majority.