Missouri Supreme Court Blocks Trump-Backed U.S. House Map, Orders Referendum
On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked a Trump-backed congressional redistricting law and ordered it placed before voters, preventing its use in the November U.S. House elections.[1]
The court said opponents submitted more than 300,000 signatures in December 2025 and deemed the referendum legal, sufficient and timely.[1] Because the law is on hold, the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census will govern Missouri's November 2026 U.S. House elections, even though the newer map was used in August primaries.[1]
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had rejected the referendum on the day of the August primaries, saying redistricting laws are exempt, a view the state high court reversed.[1] Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway called the decision an unprecedented violation of federal law and vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Gov. Mike Kehoe condemned the ruling.[1] Former President Donald Trump criticized the decision on Truth Social, and Republican officials warned that losing the new map could cost the party an additional House seat and threaten their slim majority.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Trump-backed congressional redistricting law has been suspended by a valid referendum petition and cannot be used in the November 2026 election.
- The court found that opponents submitted more than 300,000 signatures for a referendum in December 2025, deeming the petition legal, sufficient, and timely and holding that the new map cannot take effect unless approved by voters.
- Because the redistricting law is on hold, the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census will govern Missouri’s November 2026 U.S. House elections, even though the newer map was used in August primaries.
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had rejected the referendum petition on August primary day, saying redistricting laws are exempt; the state high court reversed that view and ordered the measure to the ballot.
- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway called the decision an unprecedented violation of federal law and vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Gov. Mike Kehoe also condemned the ruling.
- Former President Donald Trump criticized the ruling on Truth Social and Republicans warned that losing the new map could cost the party an additional House seat and threaten their slim U.S. House majority.
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