Appeals Court Weighs Missouri Map

A court is considering Missouri Republicans’ bid to use a new House map for upcoming ballots.

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Updated Sep 17, 6:27pm ET

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What happened

A federal appeals court panel heard arguments over whether Missouri can revive its 2025 Republican-drawn congressional map for November, despite the U.S. Supreme Court blocking it for now. Another state suit, filed by two losing GOP primary candidates and three Republican committee members, asked a Cole County judge to void the 5th District’s August primary and disqualify the certified winners instead of restoring the Trump-backed map. Missouri is set to use its 2022 districts after courts kept the newer map out. The fight began after President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to redraw maps mid-decade. Missouri lawyers cited legislative authority; an opponent cited printed ballots. Judges questioned who can appeal, and whether deadlines may overtake any ruling.

How each side covered it

From the left

Left-leaning tellings cast the case as part of a Trump-driven Republican map push, while stressing voter disruption and resistance to gerrymandering. PBS NewsHour tied the broader fight to “partisan redistricting” pushed by President Donald Trump. Slate lingered on democratic pushback and voter chaos. AlterNet cited Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney saying judges tried to “breathe new life” into the issue.

From the right

Right-leaning tellings led with the courtroom scramble and election stakes, treating the legal fight as urgent rather than a broader anti-gerrymandering moment. Washington Examiner emphasized a messy saga that could reach the Supreme Court again, and a map that would net Republicans a House seat. The Federalist framed the turmoil as a Missouri constitutional crisis created by the state Supreme Court.

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