The Supreme Court has rejected a request to use Republican-backed electoral district maps in Missouri, clearing the way for the state to use previous maps for the upcoming November mid-term elections.

The United States Supreme Court has denied a request from the Trump administration to implement new congressional district maps in Missouri that would favor the Republican party. The court issued the order on Thursday without noting any dissents, effectively requiring the state to use existing maps for the November mid-term elections. This decision follows a series of conflicting rulings between federal and state courts regarding the legality of the redistricting plan.

Legal Conflict Over Redistricting

The dispute centers on a map designed to help Republicans win seven of Missouri’s eight House seats, specifically targeting a seat held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver. While Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins attempted to implement the new map, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the districts never became law and ordered the use of maps established after the last census. Conversely, US District Judge Stephen Clark issued an order directing Hoskins to use the new map, leading to a contempt hearing against the Secretary of State.

Procedural History and Petitions

Opponents of the redistricting plan submitted hundreds of thousands of petition signatures in December to force a statewide vote. Secretary of State Hoskins did not reject the petition until August, the same day as the state's primary election, arguing that a referendum could not be used for congressional redistricting. Following the Missouri Supreme Court's order to place the referendum on the November ballot, state officials appealed to the US Supreme Court, which ultimately declined to intervene.