Federal appeals court orders Missouri to use new congressional map

A federal appeals court has ordered Missouri to use a GOPdrawn congressional map in its November elections, reviving a redistricting dispute that has already reached the U.S. Supreme Court several times. The St. Louisbased Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the state's plan to revert to the 2022 map would violate the Constitution and that only the 2025 map complies with federal law. The ruling came just as absentee and mailin ballots were set to be sent, creating uncertainty for election officials. The 2025 map, approved by Missouri's Republicanled legislature, changes the state's 5th Congressional District and could reduce the number of Democraticleaning districts. State election officials and some local clerks have argued there is not enough time to reprint ballots, while supporters of the map say the courts have already affirmed its use in recent elections. The panel delayed implementation for one week, giving opponents time to seek another Supreme Court review.