Missouri Supreme Court to hear arguments on legality of new congressional map

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR'S NOTE: AI was used for background research of this article.

The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Tuesday in a case challenging the state's mid-decade congressional redistricting.

The lawsuit, filed by Suzanne Luther and several other Missourians, challenges House Bill 1, passed during a 2025 special session that repealed the 2022 congressional map and established new districts. The fight centers on whether the Missouri Constitution allows the legislature to redraw maps mid-decade or if it protects the public's right to have the final say through the referendum process.

The challengers argue that Article III, Section 45 of the Missouri Constitution limits redistricting to once every 10 years, specifically after census results are certified to the governor.

Cole County Judge Christopher Limbaugh previously ruled in favor of the state. Limbaugh determined that the state constitution does not expressly prohibit mid-decade redistricting. The Supreme Court is now reviewing whether the legislature can redraw lines at any time or if legal traditions and the history of the 1940s constitutional convention restrict that power.

While the court case proceeds, the coalition People Not Politicians is pursuing a referendum to put the 2025 map before voters on the November ballot.

The Republican supermajority in the General Assembly created the new map, which Gov. Mike Parson dubbed "Missouri First," as the White House pushed for GOP-dominated states to help the party extend its U.S. House majority.

The map splits up Kansas City's Fifth District, a Democratic stronghold.

A rally, organized by a coalition including the People Not Politicians campaign, is also set to meet outside the Missouri Supreme Court in support of the challengers and the referendum process.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m.

This is an ongoing story.