Missouri Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Over Redistricting

11:04 AM ETDeveloping

Politics Desk

In Short: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is appealing to the US Supreme Court to reverse a state court decision that struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is filing an appeal to the US Supreme Court, seeking to reverse a state court decision that struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map. The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the secretary of state to place a referendum petition on the November 2026 ballot, effectively blocking the map's use until voters approve it.

Hanaway argues that no court has ever ordered a map change between a primary and general election, suggesting the Supreme Court will rule against the state court's decision. She claims the ruling inflicts unprecedented chaos on Missouri, affecting about 1.2 million primary voters.

The Missouri Supreme Court's unanimous decision, written by Judge Ginger Gooch, declared the map invalid and criticized Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for attempting to delay the decision. Ashcroft has stated that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision will be final, regardless of the outcome.

The state court noted that the referendum petition was submitted in December, but Ashcroft did not announce his finding that it was insufficient until shortly before a deadline last month. This decision has left many questions for Missouri voters, as the map's validity remains uncertain.

The Republican-led state is seeking urgent intervention from the Supreme Court, arguing that a federal-election-administration disaster is unfolding due to the state court's unprecedented order. The matter could return to the Supreme Court for further litigation to determine which map will be used in November.

What's still developing

Nearly a year after the map was created, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in his favor.
Secretary Hoskins says the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision will be final.“Ultimately whatever is decided, you know if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to issue an injunction we’re going to follow that, if the U.S. Supreme Court decides not to issue an injunction then we will follow that as well,” Hoskins said.
The State of Missouri had filed a motion for a stay in the injunction “pending emergency appeal and application for stay to the Supreme Court of the United States.” The Missouri Supreme Court overruled the motion, this clears the way for Hanaway to file in federal court.
It has not been determined whether the US Supreme Court will take up the case.
Justices can handle such applications themselves or refer them to the full court.
Last week, the high court majority backed the GOP on campaign advertising rates over the dissent of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
But the state’s top court said Hoskins was incorrect about that.
It told the justices that “about 1.2 million Missourians” voted in the August primary under the new map and that the state Supreme Court “gave no specific guidance” about how to use the 2022 map for November.

Sources

MS NOWlink