A three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to block the use of old district lines. The new 2025 map must be used for the November 2026 election. This decision overrides a prior order from the Missouri Supreme Court. The court stated that using different maps for the primary and general election breaks the Constitution.
According to the Washington Examiner, the judges wrote that only the 2025 plan complies with federal law. The panel included two judges appointed by President Donald Trump. They ruled that the state cannot change districts after voters have already cast ballots.
NEW: It’s the gerrymander that won’t die.
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a GOP-friendly Missouri map expected to net the party a congressional seat — despite what everyone thought was an earlier death knell from SCOTUS.
w/ @joshgerstein https://t.co/782FwRyfrx
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) September 21, 2026
According to The Daily Caller, approximately 1.4 million residents occupy different districts based on the map selected. Imagine trying to vote for a neighbor who lives in a different district than you did six months ago. That confusion ends with this order. The court observed that switching back to the 2022 map would leave voters trapped between two districts.
The 2025 map was passed by the legislature to give Republicans a 7-1 advantage in the House. The old 2022 maps offered a 6-2 advantage.
According to RedState, the panel affirmed a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark. This ensures that the map used in August remains the map used in November.
A permanent injunction issued by the panel, which The Daily Caller highlighted, delays action until September 28. This gives officials time to prepare for the new district lines. Judge James Loken and Judge Justin Smith formed the majority. Judge David Stras contended that the group contesting the map lacked standing to file an appeal.
The court made clear that the Constitution forbids Missouri from employing a congressional district map for the November 2026 general election that differs from the one used in the August 2026 primary election.
Per the Washington Examiner, the court holds that the current plan to use the 2022 map violates the Constitution. This is a win for voters who expect their district to stay the same. The order stops state officials from making last-minute changes that confuse the electorate.
This decision stops a chaotic attempt to redraw lines after the fact. It ensures that the voice of the people is counted based on the map they voted on. The judges made it clear that the 2025 map is the only legal option.
Missouri can no longer switch districts mid-campaign.
This ruling upholds the principle that voters should know who represents them before they cast a ballot. It is a solid step toward fair and stable elections for all Americans.
