Missouri judge keeps Trump-backed congressional map in place for 2026 midterms
A Cole County judge ruled Missouri referendum rules do not apply to congressional maps passed by the Legislature. The decision leaves a Republican-drawn map that splits Kansas City in force for November.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Missouri judge ruled Wednesday that the state's referendum process cannot be used to challenge congressional maps drawn by the Legislature, keeping a Trump-backed Republican map in place for the 2026 midterm elections, Fox News reported.
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green held that Missouri constitutional referendum provisions do not apply to congressional redistricting enacted by the General Assembly. He sided with Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who had refused to certify a referendum petition aimed at the new map.
Green ordered that the Republican-backed congressional map remains in full force for the 2026 general election and found Hoskins' refusal to certify the petition lawful. Plaintiff Richard von Glahn appealed Wednesday evening, according to the court docket cited in coverage.
The map was passed after President Trump urged GOP-led states to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. Missouri became the second Republican-led state after Texas to pursue new House lines in that effort. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe had called lawmakers into a special session for the work.
The new boundaries target an opportunity to defeat Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. Missouri's House delegation is currently six Republicans and two Democrats. The map splits parts of Kansas City into neighboring Republican-held districts and stretches the rest of Cleaver's 5th District into Republican-leaning rural areas. An Associated Press estimate said about 59 percent of voters in the reshaped district are new to it.
Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin won the GOP primary in the redrawn district earlier this month. Cleaver was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The new lines were already used in Missouri's August primaries.
Opponents gathered signatures for a statewide referendum, but Hoskins argued the state constitution does not allow congressional redistricting to go to a referendum. Green agreed and entered judgment for Hoskins and Republican party committees that intervened. The fight is one piece of a wider national redistricting battle before November.
Go Deeper
What did the judge decide?
Judge Daniel Green ruled Missouri referendum rules do not cover congressional maps passed by the Legislature, so the GOP map stays for 2026.
Who backed the map?
President Trump urged red states to redraw lines. Missouri Republicans passed the map after a special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe.
What changes in Kansas City?
The map splits parts of Kansas City and stretches Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's district into more Republican rural areas.
Was the map already used?
Yes. Missouri's August primaries ran on the new boundaries.
Is the case over?
No. The plaintiff appealed Wednesday evening, so higher courts may still review the ruling.
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