The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Missouri must use its 2022 congressional redistricting map for the 2026 elections. This decision affects voters and candidates in Missouri, as it upholds a previous ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court that the 2025 map cannot take effect until approved by voters. The ruling is significant as it highlights the complexities of state and federal election laws.
The case, People Not Politicians v. Onder (Docket No. 26A388), arose after the Missouri Legislature enacted a new redistricting map in 2025. However, the Missouri Constitution requires that such a map be approved by voters in a referendum before it can take effect. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on September 3, 2026, that the 2025 map “is not the law and has never been the law” in Missouri, meaning the 2022 map must be used in the upcoming elections.
In response to the Missouri Supreme Court's ruling, a group of voters and candidates filed a lawsuit in federal court. They argued that the U.S. Constitution mandates the use of the 2025 map for the 2026 elections, despite the state law requiring voter approval. This led to a series of legal battles over which map should be used.
The Supreme Court's ruling on September 25, 2026, confirmed that the 2022 map would remain in effect for the elections. The court stated, “The equities dictate that we stay the District Court’s September 21 and September 22 injunctions.” This means that the federal court's orders to use the 2025 map were overturned, and the 2022 map would be utilized for the elections.
The ruling was issued per curiam, meaning it was delivered by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice. The court emphasized the importance of stability in the electoral process, especially since ballots using the 2022 map had already been printed and absentee voting had begun. The court noted, “At this point, it is practically impossible to revert to the” 2025 “map.”
This decision has significant implications for Missouri's upcoming elections. It ensures that the 2022 map will be used, which may affect the political landscape and the candidates running for office. The ruling also reinforces the principle that changes to election rules should not occur close to an election, as outlined in the Purcell principle. This principle aims to prevent confusion and chaos in the electoral process.
The impact of this ruling extends beyond Missouri. It sets a precedent regarding the interplay between state and federal election laws, particularly in cases where state constitutions require voter approval for changes to electoral maps. The decision may influence similar cases in other states where redistricting maps are subject to voter referendums.
Looking ahead, the possibility of an appeal remains. However, the Supreme Court's ruling is final unless new legal grounds arise. There are currently no related cases pending that could affect this decision directly.