Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Map Ahead of August Primary
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The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a new congressional district map, allowing it to remain in effect for the upcoming August 4 primary elections. The ruling follows a series of redistricting actions and court decisions across several states that could reshape the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Facts First
- Missouri's top court upheld a new U.S. House map that could help Republicans win an additional seat.
- Alabama plans to switch to a 2023 map containing only one majority-Black district after a Supreme Court ruling.
- Republicans believe they could gain up to 14 seats from new maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and Tennessee.
- Democrats believe they could gain six seats from new maps in California and Utah.
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must determine by August 4 if referendum signatures meet constitutional requirements.
What Happened
The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a March decision by a state judge that agreed with the Republican position regarding a new congressional map's effective date. The map, which extends a Kansas City-based district from 20 miles covering two counties to 200 miles covering 15 counties, took effect in December according to Republican officials. A lower court ruled in March that the map as a whole satisfied legal compactness requirements. Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court issued rulings affecting redistricting in Louisiana and Alabama. It invalidated a majority-Black district in Louisiana as an illegal racial gerrymander and overturned an order that had mandated the use of a map with two largely Black districts in Alabama, directing a lower court to reconsider the case.
Why this Matters to You
The composition of your congressional district may have changed, which could affect who represents you in Washington and the priorities they champion. The outcome of these map changes could significantly influence which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the November elections, potentially shaping national policy on issues from taxes to healthcare. In Alabama, the timing of primary elections for congressional seats may be altered, as state officials enacted a law allowing them to void the results of a May 19 primary for certain districts and hold a new primary under revised boundaries.
What's Next
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has until August 4 to determine if referendum signatures meet constitutional requirements. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey announced an August 11 special primary for four of the state's seven congressional districts following the Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court's recent rulings appear to provide grounds for states to attempt to eliminate voting districts with large minority populations, which may lead to further legal challenges and redistricting efforts in other states.