MISSOURI — The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map on March 24, 2026. The court ruled that state law does not explicitly prohibit lawmakers from conducting mid-decade redistricting.

"The obligation to legislate congressional districts once a decade does not limit the General Assembly's power to redistrict more frequently than once a decade. Simply put, 'when' does not mean 'only when,'" Judge Zel M. Fischer wrote in the majority opinion. Four judges signed the majority opinion, while three judges dissented.

Missouri Republican lawmakers redrew the state's congressional map, which the Republican governor of Missouri signed into law last year. The new congressional map aims to help Republicans unseat Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver by moving parts of Kansas City into two more rural and Republican-leaning districts nearby. The new congressional map is designed to net the GOP a House seat in the 2026 midterm elections.

Six Republicans have filed to run for the newly drawn congressional seat in Missouri ahead of the August primary. Opponents of the new congressional map are seeking to block it through a voter referendum. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins supports the new congressional map but has not yet certified the referendum measure to block it.

The advocacy group People Not Politicians has sued to try to put the new congressional map on hold while the referendum is decided. The NAACP has appealed a separate lawsuit challenging the new congressional map's validity to the Missouri Supreme Court after losing its case at trial court last month.

Typically, states redraw their congressional district lines every 10 years after a new census. President Donald Trump called on Republican-controlled states last year to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections. Six states enacted new congressional maps in 2025.

In April 2026, voters in Virginia are set to vote on a Democratic-drawn congressional map. Republican lawmakers in Florida are preparing for a special legislative session on redistricting.