The Supreme Court has decisively rejected a third Republican effort to implement a new congressional map in Missouri that would have created a 7-1 GOP advantage, citing the late stage of the election and potential for 'electoral chaos.' This decision ensures the current 6-2 map will be used, thwarting a GOP bid to gain an extra House seat.
The U.S. Supreme Court has, for the third time in as many weeks, rejected a Republican-led effort to redraw Missouri's congressional map, a move that aimed to secure an additional House of Representatives seat for the GOP, shifting the state's delegation from a 6-2 to a 7-1 Republican majority. The court's unsigned decision emphasized the critical lateness of the request, citing the 'Purcell principle' which warns against last-minute changes to election rules once voting has begun. With ballots already printed and absentee voting underway, the Court stated that ordering a reversion to the proposed 2025 map would 'usher in electoral chaos.' This ruling marks a significant loss for Republicans and former President Donald Trump, who had advocated for the mid-decade redistricting. The legal battle involved a complex interplay between state and federal courts, with conflicting rulings that created confusion for voters and election officials. Ultimately, the Supreme Court's decision locks in the use of the 2022 congressional map for the upcoming midterm elections, putting an end to a contentious legal saga.
