Republicans win redistricting case in Missouri Supreme Court

Republicans won a redistricting case before the Missouri Supreme Court, allowing their new congressional map to take effect before the November elections.

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Zel Fischer wrote the majority opinion for the 4-3 decision on Tuesday, saying that “the circuit court correctly concluded” the legislation adjusting the new congressional lines was “valid” because the state’s constitution “obligates the General Assembly to redistrict when the United States census is certified to the governor but does not otherwise expressly limit the General Assembly’s plenary power to legislate congressional districts.” 

Democrats had challenged Missouri Republicans in court for redrawing the state’s House map mid-cycle, The Hill reported.

Last year, state lawmakers passed a new set of congressional lines, breaking up Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s, D-Mo., district in an effort to give the GOP an additional pickup opportunity in the House this November.

Several groups challenged the new map in court, arguing that the state Constitution only allows lawmakers to redistrict once after the decennial U.S. Census is completed. The groups had also sought to block the map from taking effect before the general election this fall.

“Appellants acknowledge the Missouri Constitution does not expressly prohibit mid-decade congressional redistricting and, instead, argue the ‘Constitution denies such power by clear implication,’” Fischer wrote.

“The crux of Appellants’ argument is that, because [the state Constitution] identifies a specific time when the General Assembly shall legislate new congressional districts, the General Assembly cannot redistrict at any other time,” he added. “Appellants are incorrect.”

Republicans in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah have also redrawn their congressional maps in a push from the White House and national Republicans, while California Democrats successfully redrew their House map after voters passed a redistricting initiative last fall.

Florida and Virginia may also have their congressional maps redrawn before November.