Missouri state Supreme Court rules new GOP-drawn map cannot be used for November midterms

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state's newly redrawn congressional maps cannot be used in November's midterm elections, ordering a referendum to determine whether the state can use the map going forward to appear on the ballot instead. 

The ruling means that the state will need to use its previous district lines in the fall elections instead, marking a significant blow to Republican efforts to redraw districts in ways that are more favorable to them, according to NBC News.

The new maps would have broken up Missouri Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s district in an effort to give the GOP an additional pickup opportunity in the House this November.

The ruling comes after the state Supreme Court initially allowed the state to use the new maps earlier this year, determining that the recently redrawn congressional maps are constitutional. It also ruled earlier this year that the state legislature is authorized to redraw congressional boundaries at any time.

It comes after the United States Supreme Court struck down Louisiana maps in May, which had added a second majority black district, ruling the map was unconstitutional because it contained race-based districts.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.