Eighth Circuit Backs Missouri GOP's 2026 House Map, Reviving Fight Over 8 Seats
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 21
Eighth Circuit Backs Missouri GOP's 2026 House Map, Reviving Fight Over 8 Seats
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 21
Summary
A federal appeals panel ruled Monday that Missouri cannot use its 2022 congressional map in the 2026 general election, siding with Republicans who want newly redrawn boundaries that favor their party.
The decision does not immediately change November voting because the Supreme Court has twice allowed the older map to remain in place, and ballots for military and overseas voters were already mailed last week.
Last month's primary was held under the redrawn map, leaving many voters poised to choose general-election candidates they did not help nominate if the old map is used again.
The Eighth Circuit said Missouri's plan violates the Constitution, a ruling likely to send the dispute back to the Supreme Court and fuel post-election lawsuits over whether eventual winners can be seated.